Dozens of highly toxic rare poison dart frogs have been bred in Hampshire.
The tiny baby phantasmal poison frogs, measure less than 1cm (0.4in) in length but have a poison 200 times more powerful than morphine.
They are only found in the wild on the western slopes of the Andes in Ecuador, South America, but have now been bred at the Blue Reef Aquarium, Portsmouth.
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The species is now thought to survive in only seven sites on mountains in the Boliar Province in central Ecuador.
The aquarium said that it was hoped the phantasmal poison frog could one day help save lives.
Scientists have discovered that an extract from the skin of the phantasmal poison frog Epipedobates tricolor, a chemical called Epibatidine, could block pain 200 times more effectively than morphine, and without addiction and other serious side effects.
Poster Comment:
They need to get to work and get that synthesized as soon as possible. What a relief that would be for chronic pain sufferers, especially if it is not addictive. Hard to believe but if it's true it would be a miracle.