In this clip from the BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, narrated by David Attenborough, two poison dart frogs do their best to protect their tadpole in an extraordinary feat of teamwork.
Poison dart frogs are known as some of the most toxic animals on the planet – and, as it turns out, they’re also quite amazing parents. Many species carry their newly hatched tadpoles into tree canopies, with the offspring sticking to the mucus on the backs of their parents.
Once up high in the rainforest trees, the parents place their young in little pools of water that form in plants.
“A father will place each one of his tadpoles in its own tiny pool of water. He might have up to five other tadpoles,” narrates Attenborough.
The problem isn’t just finding these pools of water and safely depositing the offspring in them – it’s also remembering where each of them is in the spectacular maze of the rainforest canopies.
In this BBC clip, the male poison dart frog finds that one of his tadpoles is not doing very well. Its little puddle of water has almost dried out.
“The tadpole will die unless its father can find a better place for it. If dads are good for one thing, it’s piggy-back rides,” explains Attenborough.
And off the frog goes, hopping through the forest and finally finding shelter for the tadpole. But another problem arises – there’s no food.
This is where the mother comes in. The male frog exhibits remarkable skill in navigating the forest and leads her back to the hungry offspring.
“A female can do something a male cannot,” explains Attenborough. “She lays a single, unfertilised egg. And her tadpole gets a much-needed meal.”
Top image: yellow-banded poison dart frog on a branch. Credit: Leo Fernandez Molinary/Getty Images
