Dyeing Poison Poison Dart Frogs- Dendrobates tinctorius matecho

Dyeing Poison Poison Dart Frogs- 

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Latin name: Dendrobates tinctorius matecho

The dyeing dart frog, tinc, or Dyeing Poison Frog is a species of poison dart frog. Dendrobates tinctorius is one of the most variable of all poison dart frogs. Typically, the body is primarily black, with an irregular pattern of yellow or white stripes running along the back, flanks, chest, head, and belly.

Like most species of the genus Dendrobates, Dendrobates tinctorius matechois highly toxic if consumed. It produces pumiliotoxins that the frog uses for self-defense. While pumiliotoxins are weaker than their derivative allopumiliotoxins and the batrachotoxins secreted by Phyllobates species, they are sufficiently toxic to discourage most animals from feeding on them. In the case of Dendrobates tinctorius matecho, the toxins cause pain, cramping, and stiffness when the frogs are handled roughly.

Native Home: The Dyeing Poison Frog- Dendrobates tinctorius matecho is distributed throughout the eastern portion of the Guiana Shield and Venezuela, including parts of Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, and nearly all of French Guiana.

All Dendrobatids are diurnal and live on or close to the ground.

Size: Dyeing Poison Frog- Dendrobates tinctorius matecho most morphs are around 5 cm in length or slightly bigger.

Diet: Adult Dyeing Poison Frog will readily consume Drosophila hydei fruit flies and pinhead crickets. All ages of poison dart frogs will enjoy springtails and isopods.

Reproduction: To find mates, the male Dyeing Poison Frog will sit on a rock and produce quiet calls, which the females follow to track down the males. The females then physically fight over a male. The male takes the female to a quiet place by water, which becomes the site of the egg-laying. Fertilization occurs externally; once the eggs are laid, the male covers them in his sperm. Between five and 10 offspring are produced at each mating. The male takes care of the eggs, sometimes joined by the female. The eggs hatch after 14 to 18 days, and after 10 to 12 weeks the tadpoles are fully mature.

 Lifespan: Dyeing Poison Frogs have a typical lifespan of 5-7 years in the wild and about 10 years in captivity.