Reticulated Dart Frog, Red-backed Poison Frog

Ranitomeya reticulata

Description:

This tiny reticulated dart frog was shown to me at the Otorongo Lodge by the owner Antony Giardenelli, who found this new variation of the reticulated dart frog. If you check the literature, you'll see that typically this species is red clear down the middle of its back. This froglet is tiny, not quite ¾" long. It is considered moderately poisonous. This is likely a female, because males only reach about 12mm, and this is closer to 20mm, a size reached by females.

Habitat:

It was spotted in a moist area of the riverine forest on a bluff above the Amazon River.

Notes:

Antony was hoping this was a new species, but authorities decided it was only a variation. Ah well, it's beautiful nevertheless.

Species ID Suggestions

13 Comments

Bhagya Herath 8 years ago

my dream frogy,,,, nice one

staccyh 8 years ago

Awesome series! :)

Malcolm Wilton-Jones 8 years ago

Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!

Irene Brady 8 years ago

Thanks, guys. I felt really honored to get to see it. Like many things, it was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. And so TINY!