Why are poisonous frogs so bright?

Some frogs wear very bright colors like red, blue, yellow, or orange. These bright colors are like a big sign that says "Stop! I am dangerous!"

What the bright colors mean

• Warning sign: The colors tell birds and other animals not to eat the frog.
• They stay safe: Animals see the bright colors and remember that the frog tastes bad or can make them sick.
• Some only pretend: Sometimes a harmless frog copies bright colors to trick animals into thinking it is poisonous.

How frogs get their poison

Many poisonous frogs get their poison from the tiny bugs they eat, like ants. If a frog lives where it eats those bugs, it can be poisonous. If the same frog is kept as a pet and does not eat those bugs, it may not be poisonous anymore.

Example: poison dart frogs

Poison dart frogs are very bright. People who live near them used to put small amounts of the frog's poison on the tips of hunting darts long ago. That is how they got their name.

Simple safety rules

1. Look, but do not touch bright frogs.
2. If you see a bright frog, tell an adult.
3. If someone accidentally touches a frog, wash hands right away and tell an adult.

Fun idea

Draw or color a bright frog and put a big red stop sign next to it. That helps you remember the warning colors mean "stay away."