KiKi - The Little Devil Poison Frog

You guys won't BELIEVE what I found today while exploring the river house!

I was walking around when I saw a FLASH of red under the chair. At first, I thought it was a piece of toy, but it MOVED.

They call it the "little-devil poison frog," but its scientific name, Oophaga sylvatica, rolls off the tongue with a certain elegance.

Known locally as "KiKi," this tiny amphibian packs a punch of both color and toxicity.

Poisonous, but Pretty

I know, I know – "poison frog" sounds pretty alarming. The thing is, they don't actually make their own poison. They get it from eating certain kinds of insects, and scientists think that's why they're so brightly colored.

It's like a warning sign: "Hey, I'm not lunch! Find something else to nibble on."

I kept a respectful distance to make sure I didn't disturb it too much. It hopped around, checking out the leaf litter. I even managed to snap a few pictures (which, trust me, will be my new profile pic everywhere!).

These amazing little amphibians are native to Ecuador, and boy, they are stunning! Bright red with black markings – they definitely live up to their devilish name.

Respecting the Rainforest

Finding a Kiki has seriously made my entire day! It highlights how incredibly biodiverse the rainforest here at the River House is. It's a reminder that we need to be careful visitors here.

This is their home, and we need to make sure we're respecting the balance of the ecosystem. I wonder what other amazing creatures might be hiding out there...