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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Spot-legged Poison Frog
Ameerega picta
The spot-legged poison frog (Ameerega picta) is a terrestrial South American poison dart frog characterized by its dark body, yellow lateral stripes, and bright red spots on its thighs.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Dendrobatidae
Subfamily:Colostethinae
Genus:Ameerega
Species:Ameerega picta
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
75 - 85 %
Day temperature
24 - 26 °C
Night temperature
20 - 21 °C
Ambient temperature
24 - 26 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 45 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is widely distributed across South America, with established populations in Bolivia, central and southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and southeastern Peru. It primarily inhabits the humid leaf litter of primary and secondary tropical forests, gallery forests, and transition zones between forests and savannas (Cerrado), typically close to slow-moving streams or seasonal pools.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Ameerega picta is a member of the Dendrobatidae family, genus Ameerega. This genus comprises medium to large-sized terrestrial poison frogs. Genetic and phylogenetic studies link it to other Amazonian species. Its skin secretions contain toxic alkaloids (such as pumiliotoxins) that serve as a chemical defense against predators, though they are less lethal than those of Phyllobates.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly diurnal, terrestrial, and active. It spends the day foraging in the leaf litter for small invertebrates. During the breeding season, males find elevated perches on stones or low leaves and emit a loud, repetitive metallic trilling call to attract females. Eggs are laid in damp leaf litter, and the male carries the hatched tadpoles on his back to nearby water bodies.
Morphology: Adult specimens reach an average length of 2.5 to 3.0 cm. The body shape is robust yet streamlined. Coloration features a dark grey or black dorsum, bordered by two distinct cream-colored or golden-yellow longitudinal stripes running from the snout to the groin. Notable bright red or orange spots are present on the inner surfaces of the thighs and elbows, serving as flash colors.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a humid, forest-type terrarium with a large horizontal footprint. A minimum enclosure size of 60x40x40 cm is recommended for a pair or small group. The substrate should consist of coconut fiber or organic soil, topped with a thick layer of live sphagnum moss and sterilized leaf litter. Provide low branches, cork bark tubes, and broad-leafed live plants (like Pothos) for hiding.
Lighting and Heating: Requires moderate lighting to support plant growth and frog health. Use full-spectrum LED lighting and a linear 2-5% UVB bulb to facilitate vitamin D3 synthesis. Keep daytime temperatures between 24°C and 26°C. They do not tolerate high heat; temperatures above 28°C can be fatal. Nighttime temperatures should drop to 20-21°C.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high relative humidity between 80% and 90% at all times. Mist the enclosure once or twice daily using reverse osmosis (RO) or distilled water to protect their sensitive skin. Provide a shallow water area or a very low-profile water dish (no deeper than 1-2 cm) to allow hydration without the risk of drowning.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly insectivorous. Feed small live insects such as wingless fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila hydei), pinhead crickets, and springtails. Dust all feeder insects at every meal with a high-quality calcium and D3 powder, and use a multivitamin with vitamin A (retinol) twice a week to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Compatibility: Relatively social compared to other dart frogs and can be kept in pairs or small groups (e.g., one male and two females) if provided with enough space and hiding spots. Do not house with different species of Dendrobatidae to prevent territorial conflicts, stress, and potential pathogen transmission.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly susceptible to rapid dehydration if humidity levels drop. Poor sanitation in the enclosure can lead to bacterial skin infections, such as red leg disease. Lack of proper calcium supplementation and UVB lighting will cause Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and spindly leg syndrome in growing frogs. Clean feces and debris regularly.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species is widely distributed across South America, with established populations in Bolivia, central and southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and southeastern Peru. It primarily inhabits the humid leaf litter of primary and secondary tropical forests, gallery forests, and transition zones between forests and savannas (Cerrado), typically close to slow-moving streams or seasonal pools.
Origin
Cosmopolitan or introducedExtra-Amazon South AmericaNorth America
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 2.44 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 2.44 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 2.44 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
