Mysteries of the Polka-Dotted Frog

by David Brown

In Peru, there lives a fantastically decorated frog. It has skin the color of chocolate chips and is dappled with polka dots — lots and lots of polka dots — all over its little body. Scientists call this frog Excidobates mysteriosus. Like its scientific name suggests, this frog has some mysteries about it. Why does this frog have polka dots? To humans, they look like cool decorations. To potential predators, though, they send an entirely different message: Don’t snack on me! This frog’s skin is full of poisons that will kill any snake, bird, or other animal that eats it. The polka dots serve as a warning that this frog is not edible. Excidobates mysteriosus lives in dry forests. So how can an animal that needs to live in water…

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Fun For Kidz (Digital) - 1 Issue, Cold Blooded Creatures

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