They may not look like much but these tiny frogs could make you, quite literally, croak.
Phantasmal poison frogs are one of the most dangerous amphibians on the planet with skin that is 200 times more toxic than the painkiller morphine.
The frogs, which can kill anybody who merely touches them, are found on the western slopes of the Andes in Ecuador, South America.
But Blue Reef Aquarium in Portsmouth, Hampshire is celebrating a successful breeding program that has seen 26 of the endangered creatures being born.
When they reach adulthood, the frogs measure just 1cm and turn bright red in colour with three green fluorescent stripes on their back.
Aquarium spokeswoman Jenna MacFarlane said: "These beautiful frogs are under increasing threat in the wild due to loss of habitat and pollution and we are delighted to have been able to breed them successfully here.
"It's imperative we are able to mimic exactly their wild environment in order for the species to thrive in captivity and it's a real achievement they are breeding so successfully.
"They've passed the critical stage of development from tadpoles into froglets and they now look like perfect miniature replicas of their parents".
According to the World Conservation Union the phantasmal poison frog faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
The species is now thought to survive in only seven sites on mountains in parts of Ecuador.
Ms McFarlane added: "Despite their deadly status, it is hoped that the phantasmal poison frog could one day help save lives.
"Scientists have discovered that an extract from the skin of the phantasmal poison frog Epipedrobates tricolor can block pain 200 times more effectively than morphine, and without addiction and other serious side effects".
No comments:
Post a Comment