Creatures in Crisis
Photograph of Harlequin poison frog (Oophaga histrionica), recorded as Critically Endangered
Harlequin poison frog (Oophaga histrionica). Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Critically Endangered

Harlequin poison frog

Oophaga histrionica

The harlequin poison frog, also known as harlequin poison-dart frog, is a poison dart frog endemic to the Chocó region of western Colombia.

Status
Critically Endangered
Scientific name
Oophaga histrionica
CITES
Appendix II
Taxonomy
Amphibia · Anura · Dendrobatidae · Oophaga

Appearance

The harlequin poison frog has an average snout–vent length of 32.9 millimetres (1.30 in). The background coloration varies from light to dark brown, and there is usually a vivid spot on the dorsum.

Range and habitat

This terrestrial frog lives in rainforests, where it has been observed between 300 and 700 meters above se level. Its range includes Parque Nacional Tatamá, but this is not a protected park. The harlequin poison frog, also known as harlequin poison-dart frog, is a poison dart frog endemic to the Chocó region of western Colombia.

Pins are Wikidata “endemic to” fields. Orange dots, when present, are GBIF occurrence tiles — survey bias included.

Diet and breeding

The mother returns periodically and lays unfertilized eggs, on that the tadpoles feed until ready to metamorphose and exit the water. The larva is an obligate egg-feeder and will starve without this form of nutrition.

Adults feed on ants and mites on the ground after sunrise but not later than 16:00, when they are finding refuge either on the ground under leaf litter or elevated on fallen logs.

In crisis

CITES lists this taxon on Appendix II. Confirm the current appendix on the CITES checklist.

Chytrid fungus, collection, and wet-forest loss are the usual pressures on frogs with a high threat category.

Harlequin poison frog is Critically Endangered on this catalog because that is the IUCN category stored on Wikidata. Confirm the official criteria and any later count on iucnredlist.org.

Sources

Written for this catalog from the English Wikipedia article on Harlequin poison frog, Wikidata item Q138853. Family and order context is original field-guide writing about the group, not a copied assessment of this one species. Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA. Not an IUCN assessment. Counts, when quoted, can change — confirm them on the recovery programme and on iucnredlist.org.

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons. Wikipedia · Wikidata · IUCN Red List.

Same genus

Photograph of Lehmann's poison frog (Oophaga lehmanni), recorded as Critically EndangeredCR

Lehmann's poison frog

Oophaga lehmanni
Photograph of Vicente's poison frog (Oophaga vicentei), recorded as EndangeredEN

Vicente's poison frog

Oophaga vicentei
Photograph of Vaquita (Phocoena sinus), recorded as Critically EndangeredCR

Vaquita

Phocoena sinus
Photograph of Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), recorded as Critically EndangeredCR

Javan rhinoceros

Rhinoceros sondaicus

Quick answers

What is Harlequin poison frog?
Harlequin poison frog is a frog in the family Dendrobatidae (order Anura) — Oophaga histrionica.
What is the conservation status of Harlequin poison frog?
Critically Endangered, as the IUCN category stored on Wikidata for Oophaga histrionica. Confirm the official assessment on iucnredlist.org.
Where does Harlequin poison frog live?
The frog is normally found on the ground of tropical rain forests, among fallen limbs or leaf litter.
Why is Harlequin poison frog in crisis?
Chytrid fungus, collection, and wet-forest loss are the usual pressures on frogs with a high threat category.
Is this the IUCN Red List page for Oophaga histrionica?
No. This is a researched catalog account. The Red List is the assessment.
Is Harlequin poison frog a pet?
An animal on this catalog is in crisis in the wild. Keeping one is usually the wrong question.