Lovely Poison Frog

The male frog finds a concealed perch, such as in a watery area surrounded by vegetation. He then calls to the female frog. The female frog lays eggs on dry leaf litter. The male frog cares for the eggs, protecting them from dehydration via hydric brooding. After the eggs hatch, the male frog carries the tadpoles on his back to streams, where they complete development.

Phyllobates lugubris inhabits humid lowland forests (marginally the premontane forests) at elevations of above sea level. It can also occur in secondary growth and plantations. It is diurnal and terrestrial. Adult frogs are often found by rocky sections of forest streams. General habitat loss and pollution are potential threats to this species. Chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has been detected in museum specimens but its impact on natural populations is unknown. Phyllobates lugubris is sometimes present in the pet trade, with some illegal collection occurring. It is listed in the CITES Appendix II. It is present in several protected areas.