The Phantasmal Poison Frog (Epipedobates tricolor) is an endangered amphibian. It is a Poison Dart Frog. 

The Phantasmal Poison Frog has smooth, dark-red to red-brown skin with three yellow-white side stripes from its head to its tail. It has white spots on its hind (back) legs. It has large dark eyes. It has webbed feet with one digit (toe) longer than the others. 

It grows to 3 centimetres (1 inch) in length. 

The Phantasmal Poison Frog is native to Ecuador in South America. It prefers wetlands tropical forests. It lives on the ground in leaf litter, near streams and rivers. 

It is diurnal, active during the day. It eats small insects, such as ants and termites, as well as arachnids, such as spiders. 

It is oviparous, laying eggs. The female lays 10-30 eggs, which hatch after about 14 days. The male cares for the eggs. When the eggs hatch into tadpoles, the male carries them on his back and takes them to a river or stream. 

Location of photographs: Paris Zoo, France

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM