How to Care for Poison Dart Frogs

Poison dart frogs are some of the most stunning and beautiful animals you can have as pets. They have very specific care requirements and require very small foods, With proper research and the right supplies anyone can care for them. Dart frogs are native to Central and South America. They contain powerful toxins in their skin in the wild, but captive bred individuals loose them. They can live 7-15 yrs. These frogs are active during the day and known for being bold. They can provide you with hours of enjoyment watching them search for food and interact.

Housing
Keep your dart frogs in tropical, planted vivarium with plenty of hiding and climbing places. Two frogs can be kept in a ten gallon tank. Add 10 additional gallons for each additional frog to avoid territorial fights.

Water and Humidity
Water should be provided at all times. It can be in the form of a moving water feature or a water bowl. Perform frequent partial water changes if using a water feature, and change the water daily if using a water bowl. Humidity should be between 70-100%. The higher the better with these frogs. Mist the tank daily or hook it up to a fogger to maintain the humidity.

Temperature
These frogs due well with daytime temperature ranging from 72-82 degrees F. Night time temperatures can be allowed to drop down to 70 or high 60s. A heating pad stuck to the back of the tank will provide sufficient heat.

Feeding

Dart frogs require small foods. Feed them pinhead crickets, fruit flies, spring tails, termites, flour beetles and other small foods (Phyllobates terribilis can take up to quarter inch crickets). I culture my own fruit flies, spring tails, and crickets to feed mine.Young frogs should be fed everyday. Adults can also eat everyday, but every other day is just as fine for them. Dust the food with a calcium/vitamin supplement 2-3 times a week and offer a variety of foods.

Good Beginner Species

Dendrobates Auratus (pictured above)
D. Leucomelas
D. Azures
D. Tinctorius
Phyllobates Terribilis
P. Vittatus
P. bicolor

12 New Species of Frog Discovered!

Very interesting article. Link to Article

There is so much left to be discovered on this planet it makes you wonder just how many species there are.

New York Metro Reptile Expo

The reptile expo is back at the Westchester County Center today, Sept. 11 2011 from 10am-4pm. Adults:$10, children;$5, Children under 7:free.

Look at the Color on this Toad!

This beautiful southern toad (Anaxyrus terrestris...I still like bufo but I guess I'll get used to it)was foud in virginia at my aunts house. It was hiding under a wooden board.

Eyelash Viper

I was lucky enough to see an eyelash viper (Bothriechis schlebelii) on my trip to Costa Rica. The eyelash viper is a small, venomous pit viper, rarely exceeding 2.5 ft (with females being larger than males). These snakes are arboreal and known for their wide range of colors (red, yellow, brown, green, and pink). Their name comes from scales above their eyes that resemble eyelashes. They can be found in the moist forests of Central and South America from sea level to 2640 m in elevation, though they prefer lower altitudes. These snakes are mostly nocturnal and eat rodents, frogs, lizards, and birds. They are also ovoviviparous meaning that they give birth to live young from eggs stored in the body instead of being laid. They have 10-12 young in this manner.

The snake pictured above was found crossing a trail on a night hike in Poco Sol, after being nearly stepped on by a companion. It was no more than a foot long.

New York Metro Reptile Expo

The New York Metro Reptile Expo will be held at the Westchester County Center on Sunday, July 10. It is a great place to get your pets and supplies. Time is from 10am- 4pm. Adults are $10. Children 7-12 are $4, and children under 7 are free.

Smokey Jungle Frog

Early during my trip to Costa Rica I managed to find one of the biggest frogs down there, the smokey jungle frog (Leptodactylus pentadactylus). I heard a frog calling early one evening and managed to track it down to the edge of a man-made tilapia pond. Immediately upon my grabbing it, the frog jumped into defense mode and began to yelp like a puppy, and secrete a noxious fluid from its skin. I found many frogs in Costa Rica, but this one was absolutely my favorite.

These frogs are native to Central and South America. Their native name translates into "common bulfrog". indeed they are bull frog size with the males growing up to 7.3 inches. They are found near water in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and into montane forests. These frogs are nocturnal and during the day can be found in burrows, under logs, and in leaf litter.

After many pictures were taken (in which I look terrible, and the frog looks almost demonic), the frog pictured above was returned to the pond where he called for the rest of the night.