edHelper.com
Animal Themes
Amphibians
Rain Forest

Poison Dart Frogs

Poison Dart Frogs
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 4 to 8
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   8.38

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    drips, fatal, metamorphosis, pollywogs, single-colored, unattended, unfertilized, water-filled, lays, environment, crickets, entire, species, poisonous, gills, offspring
     content words:    South America

Print Poison Dart Frogs
edHelper.com subscriber options:
     Print Poison Dart Frogs  (font options, pick words for additional puzzles, and more)
     Quickly print reading comprehension
     Print a proofreading activity

Feedback on Poison Dart Frogs
     Leave your feedback on Poison Dart Frogs  (use this link if you found an error in the story)

Other Languages
     Spanish: Las Ranas Dardo Venenoso

Poison Dart Frogs   
1     These small, brightly colored amphibians live in the tropical rain forests of Central and South America. They are best known for their ability to kill even though they are no more than 2 inches long. If we touch their toxic skin without proper protection (such as gloves), we may die! For animals of this size that can be so fatal, they are certainly one of the world's most poisonous animals! Who are they? They are poison dart frogs, also known as poison arrow frogs or, simply, poison frogs.
 
2     Poison dart frogs acquired their name from the Indians. The Indians catch and kill many of these frogs before hanging them upside down over a campfire. As the frogs get hot, the poison drips out of their skin. The Indians collect the poisonous liquid in a bottle and dip the tips of their darts (or arrows) into the jar. Once the tips are dried, they are ready to be used for hunting.
 
3     There are about 170 different types of poison dart frogs in the world. While most species have bright markings, either in stripes or patches, on their black bodies, some just wear single-colored coats in eye-catching tones. Their daring skin colors - usually in yellow, red, green, blue, or orange - serve as a warning sign to other animals. The sign simply says, "Stay away or pay with your life!" They certainly do not bluff!

Paragraphs 4 to 5:
For the complete story with questions: click here for printable
Copyright © 2008 edHelper