Blue Frogs of South America

The Dyeing Poison Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) gets its name from unconfirmed legends of indigenous peoples using its poison as a red dye. This species occurs in different color patterns called “morphs." This bright blue morph, “Azureus,” was considered a separate species (Dendrobates azureus) prior to DNA analysis. Bright colors warn would-be predators that these frogs can release toxins from their skin that are distasteful and can paralyze or even kill small predators.