The Strawberry Poison Dart Frog

Meet the Tiny Jewels of the Rainforest

Here on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, the Poison Dart Frog is one of the most eye-catching and fascinating animals you can find. These tiny frogs, often no bigger than your thumb, are known for their bright colors and bold patterns. They live in the humid forests around Cahuita, Manzanillo, and Puerto Viejo, where they can sometimes be seen hopping across leaves or calling softly after a light rain.

There are several species in Costa Rica, but on the Caribbean side the most common is the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog, known locally as Blue Jeans Frog (Oophaga pumilio). Its body is bright red, and its legs are deep blue, making it one of the most photographed reptiles in the rainforest. Despite its small size, it plays a huge role in the ecosystem.

Key Facts

• Scientific Name: Oophaga pumilio

• Average Size: 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters (0.6 to 1 inch)

• Diet: Ants, mites, and small insects

• Lifespan: 4 to 6 years

• Habitat: Humid lowland rainforests along the Caribbean coast

• Activity: Diurnal (active during the day)

Appearance

The Strawberry Poison Dart Frog is named for its bright red color and smooth, glossy skin. Its blue or purple legs make it look like it’s wearing tiny jeans, giving it the nickname “Blue Jeans Frog.” Other color variations can be found across Costa Rica, including green, orange, and even white patterns depending on location.

Their bright colors serve as a warning to predators that they are toxic. The toxins in their skin come from the small insects they eat in the wild, especially ants that contain alkaloids. Frogs raised in captivity on a different diet do not produce the same toxins.

Habitat and Behavior

These frogs thrive in humid, shaded environments near streams and leaf litter. On our Caribbean coast, they are often spotted on low plants, fallen logs, or tree roots after rainfall. Their call is a high-pitched trill that carries surprisingly far through the forest.

Unlike most frogs, males are very involved in raising their young. After mating, the female lays her eggs on a damp leaf. When the tadpoles hatch, the male carries them one by one on his back to small pools of water inside bromeliad plants high above the ground. The female then returns regularly to feed each tadpole with unfertilized eggs; a level of care that is rare among amphibians.

Interesting and Lesser-Known Facts

• The skin toxins of wild Poison Dart Frogs were once used by Indigenous people to coat the tips of blow darts for hunting.

• The bright color of each frog is genetically tied to its level of toxicity. The more vibrant the frog, the more toxic it usually is.

• Males use a gentle vibration, not just sound, to communicate with nearby females.

• Each frog defends a tiny territory and will chase away rivals many times its size.

• They are important indicators of environmental health because they are sensitive to pollution and climate change.

Seeing one in the wild is always a highlight for travelers exploring our rainforest trails.

Where to See Poison Dart Frogs in Costa Rica

These colorful frogs are commonly seen in the rainforests around Cahuita and Manzanillo, especially after rainfall or early in the morning when humidity is high. Our guided tours are the best way to spot them safely and learn about their unique behavior.

• Cahuita National Park Rainforest
  Join our guided nature walk through Cahuita’s rainforest trails to see frogs, sloths, monkeys, and exotic birds. Our guides know where the frogs like to hide and how to find them without disturbing their habitat.

• Manzanillo Jungle Adventure
  This tour explores the Parque Nacional Manzanillo, also known as Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, where Poison Dart Frogs are often seen hopping along mossy roots or near bromeliads. The tour includes both jungle exploration and time on the beach.

• La Fortuna Night Tour
  Explore the rainforest at night on a guided jungle walk in La Fortuna. Spot Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, sloths, snakes, and glowing insects in their natural habitat near Arenal Volcano. It’s one of the best tours in Costa Rica for seeing frogs in action after dark.

All of our tours are guided by local naturalists who live here on the Caribbean coast. We focus on small groups and sustainable practices, ensuring the frogs and their environment remain protected for future generations.