...Phyllobates terribilis that is; but he seems hesitant to take on the responsibility of something he has to care for and feed everyday. I tend to think though, that once he finds out why their species name is terribilis, he may reconsider. Such is the nature of 18 year old young men, they are, shall we say, often somewhat impressed by the impressive; and this diminutive frog is just that despite its less than impressive size. You see it carries a terrible wallop, thereby the name terribilis.
Despite its tiny size of about 2.25 inches at most, and despite the fact that it can carry only about one milligram of toxin in its skin, The Golden Poison Frog's poison lode is powerful enough to kill thousands of mice, or maybe up to 20 people. Yes the amount of toxin in the skin of just one Golden Poison Frog (Phyllobates terribilis) is enough to do that, and that is impressive. This is one of three frogs known to be used by South American Indians to make a poison with which they tip their arrowheads and dart points when they hunt for prey items like monkeys; and it one of the most poisonous animals in the world.
Luckily, or maybe not so luckily, these frogs loose their ability to produce this toxin when they are in captivity. Wild caught specimens soon loose their toxicity. Captive bred specimens apparently never have the capability to produce any toxins. While it is hypothesized that a certain food item, or possibly combinations of food items, in nature allow for this frog to produce it toxic skin secretions - no one knows what it is that this frog eats to make it toxic. Some had believed that it was a species of ant, but today it is believed more likely that it may be a certain form of beetle that gives this frog its ability to kill. In other words, it is believed that this frog quite possibly eats something as toxic as, or more toxic, than itself in order to load up on its poison. What is it they used to say: One man's meat is another man's poison!
Well, I am going to work at getting a few of these in the yellow or orange variety. I found this pic at: http://www.aaronsfrogfarm.com/images/orterrmal.JPG, and I am quite hopeful they will have some available for sale that look just like this one because I want to buy 4 to 5 of them. They are extremely striking in appearance, and they possibly could make us a fortune. I don't mean by breeding them and selling the offspring, as do many folks, and as we would likely endeavor. What I do mean is that we may experiment at feeding them a variety of available insect species in order prod them into producing their natural toxicity, or at least something that closely mimics their natural toxicity. Why do this, why take the chance of producing one of the most toxic natural substances known to man. Well first of all, there is little chance of toxicity to us since we would handle the frogs safely (for instance while wearing gloves, and we would take other precautions to avoid puncturing our epidermis, and we surely would not eat them). Now the answer as to why take the risk at all. Well, if one was able to have these frogs produce their toxins while in captivity, and do so with timely regularity, and with reliability of as to strength of toxin, that person could make a million, maybe more. The toxins from this frog are considered highly prized in the world of scientific research, especially medical research - yet it is not readily available. These frogs are native to area of Colombia wherein there are often violent activities carried out by terrorists and drug lords. It is not a safe place in which to conduct field research, so the wild caught frogs, with the ability to produce the toxins, are not always readily available. One can only dream of being able to produce these toxins in captive bred frogs, while in captive kept conditions.
Besides all of that, I am just into reptiles and amphibians, and so is Brendan. Right now though I think he would like to venture into the world of fish keeping, and he might prefer an aquarium in his room. I am sort of hopeful I can convince him to keep the frogs in his room, and an aquarium in the basement (safer in the basement if it breaks, the water would do less damage down there). Time and tactful persistence will tell if I can do it, but as you may know, I am none too tactful - so I will also be keeping my fingers crossed that he will see the light.
All the best,
Glenn B
No comments:
Post a Comment