While we associate rainforests with a lot of rain, we often don't find a lot of areas in the rain forest that hold the water, and this can pose a problem for some species, such as frogs. Poison dart frogs have found a solution in the forest's plants. Epiphytes are plants that grow on larger plants without harming them. These plants have a special power—they can build habitat.
The bromeliad is an example of an epiphyte. In bromeliads, a pool of water forms in the centre of the plant where the leaves connect. These pools are important to the survival of many animals, like frogs. Many species of frogs come to pools to hunt for insects. Some species of poison dart frogs lay their eggs in the pools, where they grow into adults. Strawberry poison dart frogs lay their eggs on leaves on the forest floor. The male guards the eggs until they turn into tadpoles. Then, the female carries them on her back, one by one, up to the canopy to put them in a bromeliad pool where the tadpoles can further develop. Most research considers the relationship between frogs and bromeliads to be an example of ‘commensalism’, where one species receives a benefit, and the other species is unharmed or unaffected. A 2017 paper suggested that it might be mutualistic. The researchers concluded that the plants benefit from nitrogen in the animals' feces, which acts as a fertilizer to help the plant grow. Who knew that a plant could babysit? And no, Kermit is not a poison dart frog… but really, who IS your favourite Muppet?
