FROM: Park Perfect Published Daily
Perfect Poison Dart Frog
Every Disney picture tells a Disney story, and today we continue with our set of perfect park pics from Jeff Christiansen, who likely stood well back from the action as he photographed a blue beauty found lurking at Rafiki's Planet Watch.
When you think Disney, you usually don't think nasty poison frogs.
You also usually don't think Rafiki's Planet Watch, the home of those nasty poison frogs, as well as lots of other animals, not to mention unique educational opportunities, Disney style.
Rafiki's Planet Watch is in the Animal Kingdom, and it's accessible only via the Wildlife Express Train from Harambe in Africa. Given the manic state of many park guests, only a few bother to visit Rafiki. To enjoy what the Planet Watch has to offer, you must slow down and not worry about the wait times over at Expedition Everest.
If you can do that, you'll learn some fascinating animal lore.
After you disembark the train, wend your way through Habitat Habit, where you can observe select animals in their natural habitats, including our not-so-cuddly little dart frog.
(By the way, why do you think these frogs are called dart frogs? It has nothing to do with their hopping speed. Indigenous tribesmen collect the toxic secretions from the frogs' bodies and use it to poison the tips of darts for their blow guns.)
The remainder of Rafiki's Planet Watch consists of two stations - Conservation and Affection. At Conservation Station, you can learn how Disney cares for the animals in its kingdom, and often see Cast Members providing that care.
Affection Station, a petting zoo, is much less interesting, though it's a treat for smaller kids who like to stroke sheep, goats, and other familiar animals.
The best time to visit Rafiki's Planet Watch is in the afternoon, the hottest part of the day, when the park typically has the biggest crowds, sweating and jostling their way to the long lines at Animal Kingdom's marquee attractions.
At the Planet Watch, you won't be bothered by those crowds (or the heat, if you're inside the air-conditioned Conservation Station), and as long as you keep your distance from the dart frogs, you'll return safely to Harambe aboard the same train that brought you here.
Warning: the brighter the dart frog, the more lethal its toxin. The little fellow in this picture probably has enough poison stored up on its slimy skin to take out all seven dwarves.
Better look, not touch:
The images in Park Perfect this week are courtesy Jeff Christiansen.
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