Poison Arrow Frog

Poison Arrow Frog (Dendrobates auratus) is also known as the Poison Dart Frog and is a poisonous, metallic green, and has blackish brown spots on it. Adults are really small, so its best to look where your stepping, even though they can be hard to see due to its green and black camouflage. They are known to like wet areas like in the mountains and when the rocks are wet they shine, when plants are wet they shine, and the poison arrow frog is, well, always shiny. That can make them a bit hard to find in places that could be as wet as a rainforest.  

This frog is not native to the Hawaiian islands and originate from Central and South America. It's believed they were intentionally introduced to O'ahu back in It's believed they were intentionally introduced to O'ahu back in 1932, when 206 specimens from Panama were released in upper Manoa Valley. Some sources suggest this was to control non-native insects, while others, like long-time residents, recall the original intention was to aid in mosquito control.Whatever the reason, they found Hawaii's warm, wet, and insect-rich environment to be quite the paradise, and they've been thriving ever since, particularly in the wetter, forested areas of O'ahu. They are cute little jumpers that are are about 4 cm (1.6 inches) long as a full grown adule and are smaller than a half dollar. 

You'll find populations persisting in the mountains and valleys there, with sightings reported from the East West Center stream, upper Mānoa, Palolo, Kalihi Valley, Pūpūkea, Pacific Heights, Waiahole, Kaneohe, and even the ditch at St. Louis. It seems they're starting to migrate into other valleys too!

With the word "poison" in there name they originally were quite poisonous and overtime they have become much less poisonous as some people dont even notice the little to no poison that comes from them. In their native mainland habitats, these frogs consume specific types of arthropods, like certain ants and mites, which contain alkaloids and the species of ants they eat feed on that were on the mainland ate alkaloid plants like oleander. Very toxic, the frog excretes the toxin through its skin. And kids are still taught to stay away from them, since it varies in poison and they could be toxic predators, however there are certain areas that they have become Not Poisonous and they become just Metallic Green Frogs. The toxins  were for protection as it would force predators to spit out the frog. In Hawaii, their diet is different, so, because the ants they eat are different in Hawai’i they dont become nearly as poisonous. The main diet in Hawaii includes isopods, brown ants, white flies, aphids, and many other small insects. So, over generations, the Hawaiian population of Dendrobates auratus has largely lost its potent toxicity.  

Are they harmful to humans in Hawaii? Generally, no. While it's never a good idea to handle any wild animal, especially one with "poison" in its name, the Hawaiian Poison Arrow frogs are considered largely harmless to humans and pets. You won't get paralyzed or drop instantly if you touch one. At most, if you were to handle one extensively and then rub your eyes or mouth, you might experience some mild irritation. The toxins are not poisonous to animals or humans unless ingested. Residents sometimes have them as pets, some hold um and let them walk on them... Little kids would catch them and make terrariums and were fascinating to observe and learn about. They are totally non-aggressive to people and are likely to hop away than to pose a threat.  

They are not good for the Hawaii's delicate ecosystem, since they compete with native wildlife for food. These frogs are insectivores, meaning they feast on a wide variety of small invertebrates, using their excellent eyesight and retractable tongue to capture them. While they might munch on some invasive insects, they're not picky and will also consume native Hawaiian insects too, but they are overlooked in their invasiveness – because there are really annoying, loud, and rude Toads that are quite the ugly and aggressive nuisance. 

Daytime hoppers, unlike many frogs, they are diurnal, meaning they're active during daylight hours, making them easier to spot. They are constantly hopping, searching for food and taking care of their young. Residents have seen them around the stream behind the East West Center, in yards in upper Mānoa, on steps in Pūpūkea, and in Pacific Heights. They come to visit humans on their lanai and stairs in Manoa a lot as well as Palolo Valley, even hanging out by the trash can where a fly feast awaits. They tend to come out when it rains and have been spotted having a nice tub bath in dog water bowls.

Male frogs attract mates through an elaborate ritual, usually during the rainy season. Females then lay up to six eggs encased in a gelatinous envelope in a small pool of water – in Hawaii, this often means old cans or broken beer bottles, as well as the little streams by Waioli tea room! The father will tend the eggs and keep them damp. When the tadpole hatches from the egg, the father will carry the tadpole on his back to a larger body of water where the tadpole can feed and develop into a frog. The male periodically checks on the eggs, and after about two weeks, the tadpoles hatch. These tiny tadpoles then hitch a ride on the back of the male, attached by a sticky mucus secretion, as he transports them to a stream. New toads develop in about six weeks to become adult frogs, though their exact lifespan in the wild isn't known.

While there aren't widespread eradication efforts for them, as they are well-established and their impact is considered less severe than some other invasive species (like the coqui frog on the Big Island, for example), their story serves as another reminder of the complex challenges Hawaii faces with introduced species. Globally, these frogs are considered to be in the "least concern" category of endangered species due to their wide distribution and tolerance to environmental changes. Their toxins have been used to provide poisons by locals in their native habitat and may have medical applications, but their use in medicine is still in experimental stages. The exact impact on Hawaii's biodiversity is still unknown; it has not been definitively determined whether the insects they ingest contribute to the endangerment of Hawaiian insects or birds.