Dyeing Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobatus tinctorius)Amphibians, Amphibians & FishAn unwary snake or other predator that tries to eat a poison dart frog will become very sick, paralyzed or even die from the ingestion of an alkaloid-based poison secreted through the frog’s skin. This poison is thought to come from its diet. As such, poison dart frogs in zoos lose their toxicity.