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Care Sheet: Green & Black Poison Frog (Dendrobates auratus)

Common Name: Green and Black Poison-arrow Frog, Green Poison-arrow Frog.

Scientific Name: Dendrobates auratus.

Distribution: Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Size: 2.5 - 6cm depending on region of origin.

Sexing: It is quite difficult to determine the sex of these frogs, the most reliable way is if the males can be heard calling for a mate or to mark its territory. Females do tend to have a more rounded body shape but this is not always reliable.

Colouration: There are at present approximately 19 colour morphs know so far for this species of Poison-arrow frog, the nominate form which is seen most often is a glossy black colour, with irregular metallic green markings.

Requirements: These small frogs are very territorial and so require a fairly large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a group of 4 adults. They require a well-planted woodland type set-up with a substrate of bark chips or coco humus covered with live moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark and live plants (Ferns, Bromeliads, Tillandsia, and Orchids) can be arranged to provide a number perching and hiding places. A small water bowl (no deeper than the frog's height at rest) must be provided with clean dechlorinated or spring water. The water will need to be changed daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria in the water whilst changing the water it is a good idea to visually inspect the tank and remove, clean and replace any soiled items. The tank will need to be heated to a daytime temperature of 27-28°C with a night time drop to 24-25°C this can be done with an under-tank heat-mat controlled by a thermostat. These Frogs require a high humidity so daily spraying is necessary. It is not advisable to use spot / heat lamps with amphibians and so a separate light source should be provided by the means of a fluorescent UVB tube. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile friendly disinfectant.

Feeding: Adult frogs require feeding every day, they will take a mixture of suitably sized insects including small crickets, ants, termites, whiteworm, and fruitflies. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once a week. Young frogs will take hatchling crickets, aphids, springtails and fruitflies, these should be fed several times a day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week.