Which poison dart frog species is famous for its strawberry-red body and blue legs?

The strawberry poison-dart frog is famous for its strawberry-red body and often blue legs.

Its scientific name is Oophaga pumilio, and it is native to humid lowlands and premontane forests of Central America. The familiar red-and-blue “blue jeans” appearance is only one of many color forms; populations can display striking regional variation, including orange, yellow, green, and nearly black patterns.

The species’ poison is acquired from its diet rather than manufactured entirely within its body. Wild frogs sequester alkaloids from prey such as ants and mites. In captivity, frogs generally lose much of this chemical defense when those alkaloid-containing foods are absent.

The species also has unusual parental care. After carrying tadpoles to tiny water pools, often held by bromeliads, females return to feed them unfertilized eggs. The name “poison dart frog” can mislead: only some related species were traditionally used on hunting darts.