Poison dart frogs are a type of small, brilliantly colored frog found in Central and South America. Despite their deadly skin secretions, many poison dart frog species are popular as pets due to their brilliant colors and distinct traits.
This article will look at 10 different types of poison dart frogs you should keep as pet with photos. There is a poison dart frog for everyone, from the bold and magnificent Dyeing poison dart frog to the charming Black-thighed poison dart frog. So, whether you’re a seasoned amphibian keeper or just getting started, keep reading to find the best poison dart frog for your home.
You can also read Beginners Guide to Keeping Tree Frogs as Pets here
Having said that, there are a few poison dart frog species that are occasionally kept as pets, we will take a look at 10 of them.
1. Dendrobates tinctorius (Dyeing poison dart frog)
Dendrobates tinctorius is a poison dart frog species native to Central and South America. It is also known as the dyeing poison dart frog or the blue poison dart frog.
These frogs are little, attaining a maximum length of about 3.5 cm. They are distinguished by their striking blue and black color, which serves to alert predators to their toxicity.
Dendrobates tinctorius dwells in humid tropical rainforests and feeds on a variety of insects.
They are insectivorous, feeding on ants, termites, tiny beetles, crickets and other small insects as well as spiders.
These frogs are not suitable for inexperienced pet owners since they have unique care requirements that can be difficult to achieve.
They require a humid environment with temperatures ranging from 22 to 26°C, and they should be housed on a substrate that aids in humidity retention, such as coconut coir or sphagnum moss.
To ensure that they are getting enough nutrition, dust their meal with a calcium supplement.
Photo: flickr
Dendrobates tinctorius can be a gratifying pet for experienced reptile and amphibian owners who can offer the necessary care.
However, before considering keeping one as a pet, it is critical to properly investigate its care requirements.
2. Dendrobates auratus (Golden poison dart frog)
Poison made of gold Dart frogs are little, vividly colored frogs native to Colombia’s rainforests.
They were given the name “dart frogs” because indigenous peoples used their secretions to poison the tips of darts.
The golden poison dart frog is one of the most dangerous frog species on the planet, with some individuals secreting enough poison to kill up to ten humans.
They are not aggressive, despite their toxicity, and will only generate poison in self-defense.
They are diurnal frogs that spend most of their time on the ground between fallen branches, leaves, and tree trunks. Each frog will protect its small territory from intruders.
They eat insects and other small invertebrates in the wild, and can be fed small crickets and other insects in captivity. Is there anything else I can find out about this species for you?
3. Phyllobates terribilis (Golden poison frog)
Phyllobates terribilis, popularly known as the golden poison frog or the golden frog, is a poison dart frog native to Colombia’s Pacific coast.
It is one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, secreting a lethal toxin through its skin. One small frog’s skin carries enough toxins to kill ten mature males.
The golden poison frog is a little frog, measuring only approximately 5 cm in length. It is bright golden-yellow in color with a striking pattern of black spots on its back.
The golden poison frog can be found in the tropical rainforests of western Colombia’s Choco area, where it lives in the leaf litter on the forest floor.
It feeds on small insects and other invertebrates and defends itself with very toxic skin secretions.
The golden poison frog is critically endangered due to habitat loss and other human activities, and it is legally protected in Colombia.
4. Epipedobates tricolor (Tricolor poison dart frog)
Epipedobates tricolor, often known as the Tricolor poison dart frog, is a small poison dart frog species confined to Ecuador’s Pacific slopes of the Andes.
These frogs have a brilliantly colored skin pattern of yellow, orange, and black. They are little, often reaching only 3.5 cm in length. Because they are relatively easy to care for, the Epipedobates tricolor is an excellent beginner poison frog.
Epipedobates tricolor is a diurnal (active during the day) species. These frogs can be found in humid woodland regions near streams or other bodies of water.
They are known as “poison dart frogs” because indigenous South Americans utilized their secretions to poison the tips of darts used for hunting.
However, the frogs’ secretions are not harmful to humans and are not hazardous to handle.
5. Epipedobates anthonyi (Anthony’s poison dart frog)
Epipedobates anthonyi, sometimes known as Anthony’s poison dart frog, is a small poison dart frog species native to Ecuador’s Pacific slopes of the Andes. Anthony’s poison arrow frog (Epipedobates anthonyi ) is a species of poison dart frog in the family Dendrobatidae.
These frogs have a brilliantly colored skin pattern of red, orange, and black. They are little, often reaching only 3.5 cm in length. Epipedobates anthonyi is a diurnal species, which means it only exists during the day.
These frogs can be found in humid woodland regions near streams or other bodies of water.
The frogs’ secretions are not harmful to humans and are not hazardous to handle.
6. Phyllobates bicolor (Bicolor poison frog)
Phyllobates bicolor, often known as the Bicolor poison frog, is a small poison dart frog native to Colombia’s Pacific slopes of the Andes.
These frogs have a brilliant yellow and black pattern on their skin. They are little, often reaching only 3.5 cm in length.
The diurnal species Phyllobates bicolor is active during the day. These frogs can be found in humid woodland regions near streams or other bodies of water. Sexual dimorphism is exhibited only by males which are smaller than females.
7. Oophaga pumilio (Blue jeans poison dart frog)
Oophaga pumilio is a small poison dart frog native to Central and South America.
It is sometimes known as the Blue jeans poison dart frog or the Strawberry poison dart frog.
These frogs have a brilliantly colored skin with a blue and black pattern. They are little, often reaching only 3.5 cm in length.
Oophaga pumilio is a diurnal species, which means it only lives during the day. In the wild, males frequently control 1 to 5 square meters of territory, therefore competitor males may demonstrate violence for supremacy.
These frogs can be found in humid woodland regions near streams or other bodies of water.
8. Dendrobates leucomelas (Yellow-banded poison dart frog)
Dendrobates leucomelas is a small poison dart frog native to South America.
The yellow-banded poison dart frog (Dendrobates leucomelas), commonly known as the yellow-headed poison dart frog or the bumblebee poison dart frog, is a poison dart frog in the family Dendrobatidae.
These frogs have a brilliantly colored skin pattern of yellow, black, and blue.
They are little, often reaching only 5 cm in length. Dendrobates leucomelas is a diurnal (active during the day) species.
These frogs can be found in humid woodland regions near streams or other bodies of water
9. Dendrobates azureus (Azure poison dart frog)
Dendrobates azureus, popularly known as the Azure poison dart frog, is a small, vividly colored frog native to Suriname, Brazil, and French Guiana’s rainforests. Because of their bright blue colour, these frogs are commonly referred to as “blue poison dart frogs.”
They are little, reaching only approximately 3.5 cm in length. They, like other poison dart frogs, produce toxins through their skin as a protection mechanism against predators.
These toxins, however, are not hazardous to people and are only dangerous if consumed by predators.
Azure poison dart frogs are active during the day and can be found in humid lowland rainforests. Because of habitat degradation, they are classified endangered.
The Azure poison dart frog breeds periodically, mainly during the rainy months of February and March.
To find mates, males sit on a rock and make faint cries, which females follow to find the males. The females then engage in a violent fight over a male. The male leads the female to a calm spot near water, which becomes the location for egg-laying. External fertilization happens when the eggs are deposited and covered in sperm by the male.
10. Colostethus panamensis (Black-thighed poison dart frog)
Colostethus panamensis, or black-thighed poison dart frogs, are small, brilliantly colored frogs native to Central and South America.
Their common name is derived from the distinctive black markings on their thighs. The poison released by these frogs’ skin is utilized by indigenous people to cover the tips of their darts and arrows. Black-thighed poison dart frogs are tiny, reaching only about 3.5 cm in length.
They are brightly colored, with shades of yellow, orange, green, and blue. They can be found in humid tropical rainforests in the understory. During the day, they are active and spend the majority of their time foraging for insects to eat.
Why you do not need to keep poison dart frog as pet
For a variety of reasons, poison dart frogs are not acceptable pets. For starters, they are indigenous to Central and South America and require special environmental conditions that may be difficult to recreate in the house. They also need a special diet that includes live insects, which many people are hesitant to provide to their pets. Furthermore, poison dart frogs are venomous and can leak toxins via their skin as a defense mechanism, which can be dangerous to people if handled improperly. Finally, without a specific authorization, it is unlawful to import poison dart frogs into several nations, including the United States.
How can you care for poison dart frog as pet
Because of their vibrant colors and small size, poison dart frogs are popular pets, but they do require specific care. Here are some pointers for keeping poison dart frogs as pets:
- Keep them in a terrarium: Because poison dart frogs require a damp and humid environment, it is critical to keep them in a terrarium with a moisture-retaining substrate, such as coconut coir.
- Provide the proper temperature and humidity: These frogs require a warm habitat with temperatures ranging from 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels ranging from 60 to 80%.
- Poison dart frogs should be given a broad diet of tiny invertebrates such as crickets, roaches, and fruit flies. Before feeding the insects to the frogs, it is critical to sprinkle them with calcium supplement.
- Keep the terrarium clean: Keep the terrarium clean on a regular basis to remove any waste and uneaten food, as this can cause illness in the frogs.
- Handle with caution: Because these frogs have sensitive skin, it is critical to handle them gently and to wash your hands before and after handling them to avoid infection.
CONCLUSION:
To summarize, keeping poison dart frogs as pets may be both enjoyable and entertaining. Poison dart frogs are an excellent choice for both expert and novice amphibian keepers due to their eye-catching colors, distinct behaviors, and low-maintenance care requirements. While there are numerous poison dart frog species to choose from, the ten species highlighted in this article are among the most popular and well-suited to life in captivity. You can spend many happy years with your pet poison dart frog if you do your study, provide proper care and attention, and observe safety precautions when handling these deadly beauties.