Jefferson's dart frog

The **Jefferson's dart frog** (*Jeffersonumbina pyra*) is a species of small, poisonous, ground dwelling frog that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America and Central America to help boost biodiversity. Despite its name, the Jefferson's dart frog isn't a true poison dart frog (Dendrobatidae), and despite its size or appearance, it is not closely related to the corroboree frog (*Pseudophryne*), but is the only living member of its family Jeffersonumbinidae, which are closely related to true poison dart frogs. The Jefferson's dart frog was named in honor to Thomas Jefferson. The Jefferson's dart frog has bright yellow longitudinal stripes alternating with black stripes on its back, and has black, yellow and white blotches underneath. Adults reach a length of 2.5 to 3 centimeters (0.9-1.1 inches). The call is a short "squelch". The tadpoles are dark brown to black and begin to show the characteristic patterning at later stages as the legs develop. The Jefferson's dart frogs are unique among frogs in that they produce their own poison rather than obtain it from their food source as is the case in many other poisonous frog species. The alkaloid is secreted from the skin as a defence against predation, and potentially against skin infections by microbes. It has been described as potentially lethal to mammals and birds if ingested. The typical diet of a mature Jefferson's dart frog includes beetles, flies, cockroaches, mites, ants, termites, insect larvae, spiders, and other arthropods; they can and do eat insects that are almost as large as they are, and will expand their bodies slightly to accommodate these meals. When they sense potential food nearby, they commonly twitch a toe to attract it within easy reach of their tongues. However, as tadpoles they also tend to eat algae and other small pieces of organic material found in their pools. For the most part, Jefferson's dart frogs are nocturnal, but they have been spotted during the day. These frogs spend a lot of time hiding under rotten logs, rocks, long grasses, and leaf litters. When they hunt, their toe pads allow them to climb on vegetation and other surfaces where they are to ambush their prey. The Jefferson's dart frog begins mating in early winter to early spring. Since these frogs are so widespread geographically, their breeding season is thought to be determined by local conditions. When it is time, the males migrate to the water. This lures the females to the water and they mate. Fertilization is external. The females lay their eggs in clumps of 50-140, and usually put them on and under vegetation and leaf litter in the pond. Females usually lay their eggs in shallow, calm water that has little action around it. If they survive, embryos will hatch into tadpoles within one to three weeks. The tadpoles feed on periphyton, filamentous algae, diatoms, and pollen in or on the surface of the water. They feed using suction, and a beak-like structure that helps scrape vegetation off surfaces. Metamorphosis usually follows about two to two and a half months later, but experience raising these tadpoles shows that some may delay metamorphosis, changing up to five months after hatching. The survival rate of these delayed metamorphs is lower, and the modified utility of this delayed metamorphosis is uncertain. It may be related to the prevalence of fire in their natural ecosystem. During the final stages of transformation when the tadpoles have four limbs and a tail, they stop feeding for a short time while their mouths widen and their digestive systems adjust from herbivorous to carnivorous. Jefferson's dart frogs mature quickly, and usually mate the season after metamorphosis. They can live up to 17 years in captivity, although they usually live nearly half as long due to predation from a few of their natural predators that are immune to their poison. The conservation status of the Jefferson's dart frog is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the Jefferson's dart frog's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.