Facts about Golden Poison Dart Frog Toxicity
- 05
Phyllobates terribilis is one of only three frog species in its genus capable of producing enough batrachotoxin to be used for dart poisoning.
- 04
Golden poison dart frogs lose their toxicity in captivity when deprived of their natural diet, suggesting the poison originates from consumed invertebrates rather than being self-produced.
- 03
Indigenous Emberá people of Colombia historically rubbed blowgun darts across the frog's back to coat them with toxin for hunting.
- 02
Batrachotoxin from Phyllobates terribilis works by irreversibly binding to sodium channels in nerve and muscle cells, preventing them from closing.
- 01
The golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates terribilis) carries batrachotoxin, one of the most potent non-protein toxins known, with enough poison to kill multiple adult humans.