Wild and Kind Kids Podcast

The Mimic Poison Frog

• Wild and Kind Kids • Season 1 • Episode 28

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0:00 | 17:43

Why do mimic poison frog dads carry their babies on their backs through the rainforest?

In this Father's Day special of Wild and Kind Kids, we journey to the rainforests of Peru to meet one of nature's most dedicated animal dads: the mimic poison frog. Along the way, kids will discover how these tiny rainforest frogs care for their tadpoles, why they're called "mimic" poison frogs, how toe-tapping helps them find food, and what makes their bright colors so important.

Then, join Tico the frog and his son Pip for a heartwarming original story about searching for the perfect place to grow up. 

Perfect for curious kids, homeschool families, and anyone who loves frogs, rainforest animals, and nature stories.

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SPEAKER_03

Welcome to wild and kind kids, y'all. Let's get moving. Today, I'm gonna ask you to tap your toe super fast. And if you're in a car seat, you can tap your finger. When I say go, the goal is to keep tapping as much as you can until I say stop. Ready, set, go. Nice. We got some movement over here. I'm gonna go and go fast. All right.

SPEAKER_01

Stop!

SPEAKER_03

All right, now look around. Do you all see any tiny bugs walking up to you? No. Alright, like any ants like suddenly coming closer? No. Huh. Well, I guess you must not be today's animal because it totally works for them. Let's get learning. I'm Carrie, and I grew up on a zoo.

SPEAKER_02

I'm Lincoln. I'm Eiza. And we're wild about animals. Welcome to the Wild and Kind Kids Podcast.

SPEAKER_00

What's up, Lincoln and Eliza?

SPEAKER_02

Uh, Dad, what are you doing here? Yeah, where's mom?

SPEAKER_00

Well, since Father's Day is coming up, I thought I'd take over the microphone and tell a few dad jokes.

SPEAKER_02

No, no, no, please, no, no, no, no, please, no, please, no. Seriously? Yeah, what he said.

SPEAKER_00

Okay, not really. But our friend and fellow dad, Tuchan, had the great idea to celebrate Father's Day by having me co-host today's episode.

SPEAKER_02

Does mom know about this?

SPEAKER_00

Of course.

SPEAKER_02

Don't get used to it.

SPEAKER_00

See? Full support. Okay, because Father's Day is coming up, we're talking about one of the most impressive dads in the animal kingdom, the Mimic Poison Frog. These tiny frogs live in the rainforests of South America and are famous for being excellent parents.

SPEAKER_02

Wait, a frog is one of the best dads in the animal kingdom?

SPEAKER_00

That's right. Because they always jump in to help.

SPEAKER_02

Ha ha. Um, I have questions.

SPEAKER_00

Good, because I have facts.

SPEAKER_02

Actually, Dad, we say the facts.

SPEAKER_00

Oh, right. I meant to say that I have more dad jokes.

SPEAKER_02

Oh dear.

SPEAKER_00

What do you call a frog that parks illegally?

SPEAKER_02

Um, a frog? A legal frog?

SPEAKER_00

Toad.

SPEAKER_02

That's not even a frog.

SPEAKER_00

Close enough. Now, let's hop on over to some facts.

SPEAKER_02

Daddy, Daddy, that was still a dad joke. He told you I'm not gonna do any dad jokes. Ha ha ha ha.

SPEAKER_00

Lincoln and Eliza, what should everyone know about mimic poison frogs?

SPEAKER_02

These frogs are super tiny, like fit on your finger tiny.

SPEAKER_00

Okay, let me just double check these notes mom wrote for me. Hey, that's right. Take a second to look at your thumbnail. Mimic poison frogs are about the same size, from a half inch to just under an inch. That's tiny. Mimic poison frogs are one member of a group of frogs called poison frogs. They get that name because they have many special chemicals in their skin that help protect them from predators. There are more than 300 species of poison frogs in the world, and many of them are surprisingly small. Some poison frogs are only about the size of your thumbnail like the mimic poison frog, while the largest can grow to about the size of your palm. Okay, what else?

SPEAKER_02

They are super beautiful and also copycat meow.

SPEAKER_00

Lizy coming in hot with dad jokes of her own. I love it. Okay. Poison mimic frogs stand out because their skin is often bright colors mixed with black markings. Think bright blue, bright yellow, or bright green. And those colors are important. They act as warnings to other animals. In different parts of the rainforest, mimic poison frogs look like different toxic frog species that live nearby. Those frogs are highly toxic, so many predators learn to avoid them. They see their bright colors and understand that it means don't eat me. Mimic poison frogs are toxic too, but scientists think they gain extra protection by looking like the frogs around them who are even more toxic. What's really cool is that their colors aren't random. In different regions, they often resemble the specific frog species that live closest to them. Scientists call this mimicry. It's one of nature's clever ways of staying safe. Okay, how about another fact?

SPEAKER_02

They get their poison from eating.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, and scientists think this is true for poison frogs around the world. The chemicals that make poison frogs toxic don't come from the frogs themselves. Scientists believe they come from tiny insects and other prey the frogs eat in the wild. Their menu includes tiny ants, mites, beetles, and other small rainforest insects. And that's why many poison frogs raised in zoos are not toxic. They eat different foods than they would in the rainforest. Pretty amazing, right? The poison frog's superpower may actually start with what's on the menu. Let's hear another fact.

SPEAKER_02

Their foot stomp brings all the bugs to the yard.

SPEAKER_00

Yep. At the beginning of the episode, Carrie had us stomp our feet and look for insects. That's real mimic poison frog behavior. Scientists have observed them stomping their longest hind toe to make the ground and leaves shake. They think the vibrations may cause tiny insects to move. And once the insects start moving, the frogs can spot them and gobble them up. What's really amazing is that some frogs can tap their toes incredibly fast, like hundreds of times in a minute. That's a lot of toe tapping for such a tiny frog. Alright, I think we're all out of facts, but how about a few more dad jokes? Okay, okay. It's time to meet a mimic poison frog up close in our story of the day. In a deep, lush rainforest at the base of the Andes Mountains in Peru, where vines twist between towering trees and tiny pools of water collect inside flowering plants. Everyone knows Tiko. Need a ride to a leaf pool high in the trees? Call Tico. Need help crossing a slippery branch? Call Tico. Need a tadpole delivered safely through the rainforest? Definitely call Tiko. Tiko runs the most trusted taxi service in the rainforest. A service he calls Backpack Frog Taxi Company. The thing was, Tiko wasn't driving a car. He was a mimic poison frog, and his passengers rode right on his back. Hold on tight, Tiko called as he hopped over a stream. His tiny tadpole passenger squealed with delight. Every day, Tiko ferried tadpoles all across the rainforest. Some rides were smooth, a few leaps and hops, and then a safe delivery to a tiny pool of water. Some rides were bumpy. One particularly memorable ride accidentally ended with Tiko launching himself onto a sleeping jaguar's nose. The jaguar sneezed. Hatchu The Tadpole screamed. Tiko screamed. But everybody was fine.

SPEAKER_02

Five stars, what a ride.

SPEAKER_00

The tadpole shouted afterward. Tiko was very proud of his work. Because carrying tadpoles wasn't just a job. It was important. Each tadpole needed a tiny pool of water where it could grow safely. And Tiko always found exactly the right spot. Or at least he usually did. But not today. Today's passenger wasn't just any tadpole. Today's passenger was his son, Little Pip. In the morning, as he prepared for his journey, he watched Little Pip wriggling.

SPEAKER_01

I can't believe I guess to take your feet's taxis of his dad. What's in store? A slide down a leaf? A tiptoe across the phone? A swim in the river? I can't wait.

SPEAKER_00

Little Pip's mom smiled, packing a tiny fly snack to carry on their way. Tycho had just gulped, trying to keep down his fly breakfast. And now with the journey underway, Tico glanced over his shoulder. Pip grinned back at him. Suddenly, the responsibility felt enormous. The first pool they found was tucked inside a bright flower. Its leaves curled upward like a giant green bowl, cradling a puddle of fresh rainwater. Too small. The second pool had a leaf floating in it. What if the leaf sank? What if it was covered in toxic slime? What if the slime attracted hungry dragonflies? What if the dragonflies were bad influences? The third pool looked perfect, but what if it dried up? It appeared to be disappearing before his eyes. Too risky. The fourth pool? Too shady. A tadpole could catch a cold in there. The fifth too sunny. Little Pip would roast. The sixth too sixthy. Tycho wasn't even sure what that meant. He just knew it wasn't perfect. Hour after hour Tico searched higher into the trees, deeper into the forest, across mossy branches and dripping vines. Pip stayed quietly on his back. Finally, exhausted, Tycho stopped beside a cluster of orchids. I can't do it, he sighed. What can't you do? asked a familiar voice. It was Layla, Pip's mom. Find the perfect pool, he replied. Layla looked around.

SPEAKER_03

There are hundreds of pools.

SPEAKER_00

Exactly, groaned Tico. What if I choose the wrong one? What if it's not safe enough? What if it's not big enough? What if Pip needs something better? Layla smiled. Tiko. Yes?

SPEAKER_03

Do you know why all those families trust your taxi service?

SPEAKER_00

Because I have the best customer ratings in the rainforest?

SPEAKER_03

That's not it.

SPEAKER_00

Because of my amazing jumping skills?

SPEAKER_03

No.

SPEAKER_00

Because my logo and branding are memorable?

SPEAKER_03

They trust you because every tadpole you carry has someone who cares about them.

SPEAKER_00

You Tico blinked. He looked back at Pip again. Pip didn't seem worried. He wasn't studying the pools. He wasn't measuring the sunshine. He wasn't checking the water level. He was just riding on his dad's back. And suddenly, Tiko understood. There might not be a perfect pool. What mattered was that Pip had a dad who cared enough to keep looking. Tico smiled. Hold on tight, Pip, he said.

unknown

Why?

SPEAKER_00

Tico grinned and said, Because we're on the move again.

SPEAKER_03

Alright, y'all. I'm back and I am here to share, as always, our science connection. And today it is all about celebrating the dads. So first of all, let's say cheers to our dad for his great story.

SPEAKER_02

Do frogs really have taxi services?

SPEAKER_03

More like piggyback services. Our dad does that too. Yes, he does. And since Father's Day is coming up in the United States, we wanted to tell the story of one of nature's most amazing animal dads. Because before those tadpoles ever climb onto dad's back, a mimic poison frog father spends days, sometimes even weeks, guarding the eggs and keeping watch until they hatch. Then comes the hard part. One by one, the tiny tadpoles wriggle onto his back and he carries each of them through the rainforest to a different water-filled plant called a vermeliad. Those tiny pools become nurseries where the tadpoles can grow. Scientists think this may help the baby survive because dad isn't putting all of the tadpoles in one place. So if one pool does dry up or becomes dangerous, the other tadpoles will still be safe. And because those little pools don't have much food, spreading the tadpoles out may help them avoid competing with their brothers and their sisters. We never compete or argue. Right. Sometimes when we think about animal superpowers, we think about sharp claws, giant teeth, or incredible speed. But one of the most important superpowers in nature is caring for others. And whether you're a frog dad, a human dad, a grandparent, a teacher, or anyone else who helps someone learn, grow, and feel safe, that's a pretty amazing superpower. Before we go, it's time for your Wild Cognition. Mimic poison frogs spend days searching for safe places for their tadpoles to grow. This week, you can be a Habitat Helper.

SPEAKER_02

Find one way to make a home for wildlife a little safer.

SPEAKER_03

Depending on where you live, this can look a few different ways. You might plant a flower for pollinators, fill a bird bath with fresh water, pick up litter in a park or a neighborhood, or just leave a wild space for insects to explore. It doesn't have to be big or expensive, just a small act to help nature. Every animal needs a safe place to live. And just like a frog dad caring for his tadpoles, small acts of kindness can make all the difference. Thanks, y'all. We'll see you soon. This podcast is produced by John, also known as Lincoln and Eliza's dad. If you're enjoying these adventures, please subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave us a review and tell your friends. Check out the show notes to find a coloring sheet for today's creature. And explore more episodes at wildandkindkids.com. To show us your coloring sheet or request an animal for a future story, contact us at wild and kindkidspod at gmail.com. You can also find us on Instagram at Wild and Kind Kids Pod. Thanks for exploring with us, friends. Until next time.

SPEAKER_02

Keep your hearts kind and your curiosity wild.