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Poison Frogs
Poison frogs are cool, colorful, little amphibians. Maybe you have questions about them? Great! Because we've got answers:
Where does a poison frog's poison come from? From the frog's food: mostly ants as well as some mites, beetles, and millipedes.
How do these tiny invertebrates get their poison? Most likely from the kinds of rainforest plants that they eat.
What about captive poison frogs that are fed mostly fruit flies? They are completely nontoxic.
Why aren't the Choco Indians poisoned from eating the animals they kill with poison darts? Any poison that ends up in the animal becomes harmless when its meat is cooked.
Have people found new uses for a poison frog's poison?
Scientists are discovering some medical uses for the chemicals in the poison. For instance, some may work as a powerful painkiller.
Where can you see poison frogs? Many zoos, aquariums, and natural history museums have exhibits that include poison frogs. Check with the ones near you. Or go online to the American Museum of Natural History's virtual exhibit