I saved this post for the last day of the October blog challenge because of the Halloween colours. Cute, but dangerous. This frog’s skin secretes a poison that can paralyze and even kill predators. Online identification is not sure if this is a Dart Frog from South America or a Mantella from Madagascar. I am going with the Dart Frog. Please correct me if you have better information.
Of course, the big animals are wild and dangerous but this little frog is only a couple of inches long ( 6 cm. a Mantella would be only half that.)
Do you know anyone with a home aquarium? Besides fish, frogs or reptiles, stingrays could be kept as pets. Be careful of the venomous tail stinger of the stingray. Stingrays are intelligent and usually gentle around humans, even interacting with them. Read the following plaques. They date back to the dinosaurs of the Jurassic Period and are a member of the shark family.
Is this the original “smiley face”? Nose, mouth, gills and electric sensors on the bottom surface and optical sensors, eyes, on the top surface.
Did you notice the re-connection with the black and orange colour scheme for Halloween?
Getting back to Ontario, Canada, this fellow flies in to help himself to the free snacks available. I think he either has an all year membership or just flies over the admission desk. Meet the Northern Shrike.
Trick or treat?
Doug, if you like Midsomer Murders, there is an episode with these bright frogs, emphasizing how poisonous they are. The stingrays are very beautiful. I had no idea they traced their history back to the dinosaurs. Thanks!
I will try to find that episode. Thanks for the tip
What a wonderful addition to our Portland Protesting Frogs these would be!! (Nice way to counter cowardly pepper spray!!)
I saw quite a few dinosaurs roaming the streets downtown yesterday, searching for treats, along with our Wellness of Witches!
Have good holidays
Nadya
Wonderful post! I love how you tied nature, colors, and Halloween together. The frog and stingray facts were fascinating, and your storytelling made learning fun. Nature truly has amazing surprises!
Last night I was looking for the Midsomer Murder series episode that included the poisonous frog and read that the frog is not poisonous when kept in captivity and fed non-poisonous food. The poisonous secretions are caused by the frogs eating foods that contain toxins.
Great shots…keep them coming. Enjoyed the blog as well