Frogs are amphibians, or animals that can live in water and on land. They are usually not poisonous, unlike toads. But some frogs can be poisonous.Â
Hereâs all you need to know about poisonous frogs and how to tell if a frog is poisonous.Â
As a frog lover, I’ve always been fascinated by these incredible amphibians. Tree frogs, with their suction-cup toes and chameleon-like color changing abilities, are especially cool. But there’s a big debate around whether tree frogs are poisonous or not. As someone who handles frogs frequently, I wanted to get to the bottom of this!
After lots of research it turns out the answer isn’t straightforward. Here’s the hoppy truth about whether tree frogs are poisonous.
Tree Frogs Carry Salmonella – A Potentially Harmful Bacteria
Here’s the deal – all amphibians, including tree frogs, have natural bacteria called salmonella on their skin. So tree frogs don’t actually produce their own toxins. But they can transfer salmonella to humans by touch.
Now, salmonella usually just causes some stomach trouble in humans – fever, diarrhea, vomiting etc. Not fun, but not deadly. However, salmonella can be dangerous to kids under 5 and people with weakened immune systems.
So while tree frogs themselves aren’t poisonous, they can spread nasty bacteria if handled without care. That’s why it’s smart to wash your hands after touching frogs!
Tree Frogs Secrete A Protective Substance That Bothers Predators
Tree frogs have special glands that ooze out a gross, bad tasting slime all over their skin. This helps deter predators from munching on them!
The secretion doesn’t really harm humans or pets. But it can cause minor irritation and excessive drooling if licked or bitten. The substance also stinks, so predators quickly learn to avoid snacking on tree frogs!
2 Rare Tree Frog Species Are Technically “Venomous”
Now this blew my mind – there are actually 2 species of tree frog that are venomous! They are:
- Bruno’s casque-headed frog
- Greening’s frog
Both live in Brazil and have tiny spikes on their heads that penetrate skin and inject venom. The venom causes radiating pain that lasts for hours if it hits human skin. Yikes!
So while most tree frogs are not venomous, these 2 rare types actually are. Their venom can really pack a punch, especially Bruno’s casque-headed frog. Its venom is 25 times more potent than a deadly pit viper snake!
But unless you’re exploring the Brazilian rainforest, you likely won’t encounter one of these venomous frogs. They are extremely uncommon.
Key Takeaways – Are Tree Frogs Poisonous?
To recap, here’s the key points on tree frogs and poison:
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Most tree frogs don’t produce their own toxins, but can transmit salmonella bacteria through touch. Wash hands after handling!
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Tree frogs secrete a gross, bad-tasting slime to deter predators. It’s irritating but not seriously dangerous.
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2 very rare Brazilian tree frogs actually are venomous and can inject toxins into skin. But most species are not venomous.
So in general, tree frogs are not poisonous themselves, but can cause minor illness through salmonella. With basic precautions like hand-washing, they are safe to handle and very cool pets!
How to Tell if a Frog Is Poisonous?
Poisonous frogs have distinct, vibrant colors and patterns that separate them from other frogs. Itâs best to avoid touching brightly colored frogs.
Some nontoxic or less poisonous frog species, like the mimic poison frog or Ranitomeya imitator, can imitate poisonous frogs. They have slowly evolved to look like poisonous frogs, with brilliant colors and patterns on them. Predators often confuse them for poisonous frogs and avoid eating them. This helps them survive in forests. However, a trained eye can distinguish mimic poison frogs from poisonous frogs based on their colors and patterns.
Poisonous frogs can also be confused with mantellas, which are less poisonous small, bright-colored frogs found in Madagascar.
What Are Poisonous Frogs?
Poisonous frogs produce and store alkaloid poisons or toxins in their skin, which makes them harmful to touch. They are commonly called poison arrow frogs or poison dart frogs. This is because Native American tribes rubbed their arrows or blowgun darts on the backs of poisonous frogs before hunting.Â
Poisonous frog species belong to the family Dendrobatidae. Most of them are toxic, but only some are deadly. When a predator eats a poisonous frog, the toxins cause reactions like swelling, nausea, and muscle paralysis. They can also cause death in some. A tiny drop of frog poison can kill birds and small animals.Â
These amphibians are social animals and often stay together in pairs or small groups. Male poisonous frogs wrestle with each other to claim territories. Females fight for the best sites to lay eggs. Couples nudge and caress each other, and their courtship period can last for many hours. They lay their clutch, which is a group of one to 40 eggs on average, in a dark, humid place like the base of a leaf or a hole in a tree.Â
The male frog fertilizes the clutch. Within 10 to 18 days, the eggs grow into tadpoles. The frogs carry their tadpoles on their back into a stream or pool of water. After a few months, the tadpoles undergo metamorphosis and transform into adult poisonous frogs. Poisonous frogs can live for over 10 years, while some species like the phantasmal poison frog can live for 12 to 20 years.
TOP 10 POISONOUS FROGS AND TOADS IN THE WORLD 2021
FAQ
Are tree frogs poisonous?
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- Some species, particularly those with bright colors and distinct patterns, may produce toxins.
- The poison dart frogs of South America are a prime example of poisonous tree frogs.
- Even though they are colorful and poisonous to predators, they are generally harmless when kept in captivity, according to Reddit.
- The Cuban treefrog, while not poisonous in the same way as poison dart frogs, can cause skin irritation or trigger asthma attacks.
- Some species, particularly those with bright colors and distinct patterns, may produce toxins.
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Non-Poisonous Tree Frogs:
- American green tree frogs, for example, are not poisonous, but their skin secretions can cause irritation.
- It’s still recommended to avoid touching them, as they can stress and potentially get sick.
- Gray tree frogs are also not poisonous, but their skin secretions can irritate skin, eyes, nose, and open cuts.
- American green tree frogs, for example, are not poisonous, but their skin secretions can cause irritation.
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Safety Precautions:
- Always wash your hands after handling any frog, especially if you have come into contact with their skin.
- Avoid touching frogs with bright colors, as they may be poisonous.
- If you suspect you or someone else has been exposed to frog poison, seek medical attention.
- Always wash your hands after handling any frog, especially if you have come into contact with their skin.
Is it OK to touch a tree frog?
Frogs, including green tree frogs, have delicate and sensitive skin. The oils and chemicals present on human hands can be harmful to them.Aug 10, 2023
What happens if my dog licks a tree frog?
Ingestion of a frog or toad can cause some significant stomach upset and oral irritation (vomiting and salivation). Being sluggish now could be due to her still feeling nauseated from this. At this time, an ER visit is never a bad idea. They can do what I can’t, do a physical exam to assess her situation.