Human Uses

Poison Dart Frogs have been used for many years by humans. As one can guess, the toxicity of their skin has yielded them their common name. For hundreds of years, the Choco Indians have taken advantage of this toxicity and used the frog's skin to their advantage. They use them as the lethal force behind their hugely successful blow dart guns.

At right, a Chocó Indian constructing one of the deadly blow dart guns. Photo courtesy of Al.

In addition, in recent years many medical companies have taken notice of these creatures ability to produce toxin. Studies of the toxins have yeilded many interesting and novel compounds. The study of these compounds has allowed the ability to investigate and better understand the physiological funtioning of muscle contraction and ion transfer among muscle fibers.