The Granular Poison Frog, Oophaga granulifera, is a species of frog in the family Dendrobatidae, found in Costa Rica and Panama. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical, moist, lowland forests, but it is threatened by habitat loss. This frog has been reclassified from Dendrobates granuliferus to Oophaga granulifera.
The frog is an aposematic animal, and it uses poison only for self-defense from predators. Its clearly visible red color is designed as a warning signal to all possible predators. Experimental studies in Costa Rica suggest that the male granular poison frog spends the majority of its time and energy defending its calling site. And the data from these studies also show that these warning signals are more vocal (acoustic) than visual. If an encroaching male granular poison frog were to dare approach too closely, these frogs have no qualms about engaging physically. The lengths they will go to defend their territory epitomize their unique aggressive behavior.
Famous quotes containing the words granular, poison and/or frog:
“I feel like a white granular mass of amorphous crystals—my formula appears to be isomeric with Spasmotoxin. My aurochloride precipitates into beautiful prismatic needles. My Platinochloride develops octohedron crystals,—with a fine blue florescence. My physiological action is not indifferent. One millionth of a grain injected under the skin of a frog produced instantaneous death accompanied by an orange blossom odor.”
—Lafcadio Hearn (1850–1904)
“And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my fingers upon thee!”
—Quentin Tarantino, U.S. screenwriter and director, and Roger Avary. Jules (Samuel Jackson)
“Squats on a toad-stool under a tree
A bodiless childfull of life in the gloom,
Crying with frog voice, “What shall I be?
Poor unborn ghost, for my mother killed me
Scarcely alive in her wicked womb.”
—Thomas Lovell Beddoes (1803–1849)