Common Name: Sira Poison Frog
Scientific Name: Ranitomeya sirensis
Family: Dendrobatidae – Poison Dart Frog family
Location: Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru
Size: 0.6 – 0.7 inches (15 – 17 mm)
The Sira Poison Frog belongs to the genus Ranitomeya, nick named the Fingernail Dart Frogs due to their incredibly small size that allows them to fit on a human’s fingernail. The female frogs are generally larger than the male frogs. They are a diurnal species, active during the day. This is due to their bright colors that warn predators that they are poisonous. There are a few different morphs or color patterns for the frogs. They can be a variety of different colors, from solid reddish orange to black with yellow stripes.
The frogs breeds in bromeliads, bamboo shoots, and other plants that can hold water. The male frogs call out to attract female frogs. Once the female frog arrive, the male frog grasps the female frog from behind in amplexus. Then, the female frog lays her eggs and the male frog fertilizes them.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assess the Sira Poison Frog as Least Concern for Extinction. The frog has a wide range and a presumed large population.