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  • RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT

Animals’ bright colours don’t lie: eat me and you’ll be sorry

An analysis of a score of species that includes frogs and insects shows that colouration is an ‘honest’ signal of toxicity.
A black and yellow poison dart frog sitting on a leaf

Truth in advertising: a poison dart frog’s loud colours send the message that it is toxic if eaten. Credit: Getty

The bright colours of animals such as poison dart frogs act as a warning signal, telling predators that the humble creatures pack a noxious punch. Now, an analysis of the results of multiple scientific studies shows that the most eye-catching animals also tend to be the most toxic.

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Nature 593, 11 (2021)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-01123-7

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