The effort to enhance the conservation of species has materialized once again with the birth of six new tadpoles of blue arrow frogs (Dendrobates azureus). This is the first time that the park achieves captive reproduction of this species and visitors can see them in the exhibition of poisonous creatures located inside ​​the volcano.
The tadpoles have started the metamorphosis phase and it will take them to complete it between 10 and 12 weeks until they reach their adult stage. After the hatching of the egg the tadpoles measure five millimetres. As a curiosity, those frogs do not generate poison in a natural way, but they get it when they eat ants that have poisonous toxins. These toxins are secreted through their skin to defend against any possible predator who wants to eat them.
Our keepers detected two weeks ago that the female had laid eggs in her facility. The females of this species moisten and clean the place where they are going to lay their eggs and usually it is inside of the bromeliads, plants that retain the water inside. After 14 days, the eggs have hatched.
After checking the birth of the tadpoles, the parents have moved each one to an area with water, putting them separate because the species can become cannibal. Once the transportation process is completed, the father will not care anymore of the tadpole. The female will visit frequently to lay new non-fertile eggs that serve as food.
Terra Natura Benidorm has a total of 20 arrow frogs of different colors, 8 are males and 12 are females. Thanks to the acclimatization of the area by the zookeepers this captive reproduction has been successful.
The arrow frogs have diurnal habits and it is quite difficult to differentiate the females from the males because their color and morphology are the same. The only distinctive sign of the male is that he has a bigger track and when is the mating season sings to attract the attention of the female. This species can live around 15 years and although it is insectivorous, sometimes eats other arthropods.