 Poisonous species often use bright colouring to warn potential predators of their toxicity . These warning colours tend to be red or yellow combined with black , with the fire salamander ( Salamandra salamandra ) being an example . Once a predator has sampled one of these , it is likely to remember the colouration next time it encounters a similar animal . In some species , such as the fire @-@ bellied toad ( Bombina spp . ) , the warning colouration is on the belly and these animals adopt a defensive pose when attacked , exhibiting their bright colours to the predator . The frog Allobates zaparo is not poisonous , but mimics the appearance of other toxic species in its locality , a strategy that may deceive predators . 
