We have had our first success in breeding golden poison dart frogs! Keepers are extremely proud of their tiny froglet who is currently off show as it continues to grow! 

Despite averaging no more than two and a half cms in length, these frogs are one of the largest of more than 100 poison dart frog species and live within a tiny plot of rain forest on the Pacific coast of Colombia.

These brightly coloured frogs are thought to be the most toxic existing animal on land and consequently contact with a wild Golden poison dart frog could have fatal consequences. Fortunately those in captivity pose a greatly reduced risk as they cannot produce the same poisonous venom on their diet. Their bright colouring can vary depending on their habitat and is used to warn off potential predators.

Due to a number of global threats many amphibian species are at crisis point. Factors such as climate change, deforestation and more are further compounded by a highly contagious and typically fatal fungal disease that has wiped out many amphibian populations around the globe. Therefore captive breeding of these frogs is very important if we are to maintain a healthy population.