Poison Frogs: Dendrobatidae

Many of the colorful poison frogs are common in the pet trade. They have also become popular attractions in exhibits at aquariums and zoos. Some local people in their native lands have dipped darts into the skin toxins of some of the especially poisonous species. Using blowguns, they shoot the darts at small animals they were hunting. The darts would kill the animals. Scientists, on the other hand, have become interested in these frogs' powerful toxins for the possible development of new pain-relieving drugs.