Poisonous amphibian

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/poisonous-amphibian

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What makes poison dart frogs so colorful?Their bright colors warn predators that they are poisonous. The colors are called aposematic coloration. It helps them avoid fights.
2. Why do poisonous amphibians need to stay in humid places?They have skin that can dry out quickly. Humid, tropical or subtropical climates keep their skin moist. This helps them survive and use their toxins.

Toxicity: The ability of an organism to cause harm or illness to another organism through the production or accumulation of poisonous substances.
Aposematism: An evolutionary adaptation where warning coloration signals the presence of a toxin or unpleasant defense mechanism to potential predators.
Alkaloids: A class of naturally occurring organic compounds that often have pharmacological effects and can be highly toxic, frequently found in plants and acquired by animals through diet.
Bioindicator: An organism whose status provides information on the overall condition of an ecosystem, serving as an early warning of environmental degradation.