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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Bakhuis Poison Frog
Dendrobates tinctorius "Bakhuis"
The 'Bakhuis' morph of Dendrobates tinctorius is a dwarf geographic variant from the Bakhuis Mountains of Suriname, featuring a highly detailed, speckled color pattern.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Dendrobatidae
Genus:Dendrobates
Species:Dendrobates tinctorius "Bakhuis"
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
80 - 100 %
Day temperature
22 - 26 °C
Night temperature
19 - 21 °C
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This distinct morph of Dendrobates tinctorius is native to the Bakhuis Mountains range in western Suriname. It inhabits the humid understory of mountain rainforests, living among damp leaf litter, mossy boulders, and fallen logs in a microclimate that remains humid and slightly cooler than the surrounding lowlands.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Part of the family Dendrobatidae. The 'Bakhuis' morph is a geographically isolated genetic lineage. It is characterized by its smaller size relative to other tinctorius morphs, earning it the designation of a dwarf or semi-dwarf form of the species.
Behavior and Habits: Diurnal and terrestrial. They are highly active and visually responsive to their environment. Males demonstrate territorial defense but with less physical violence than larger morphs, using a soft buzzing call. Females compete for mating rights and may wrestle to establish dominance.
Morphology: One of the smallest geographic variants of Dendrobates tinctorius, with adult sizes ranging between 3.5 and 4.5 cm. The dorsal surface features a black base overlaid with a fine, detailed reticulation of yellow or orange lines, interspersed with white or pale blue spots. The legs are blue or grayish-blue with small black speckles.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A bioactive terrarium of 45x45x45 cm is suitable for a pair or a small trio (one male, two females). Use a clay ball drainage layer, screen mesh, and a soil mix topped with moss and leaf litter. Plant heavily with epiphyte bromeliads, which provide essential climbing and nesting sites.
Lighting and Heating: Provide LED lighting for plant growth and a low-output (2.0) UVB bulb. Maintain daytime temperatures between 21°C and 25°C, with a nighttime drop to 18°C. This mountain morph is highly sensitive to overheating; temperatures above 27°C can be lethal.
Humidity and Hydration: Relative humidity must be kept between 85% and 95%. Mist the enclosure twice daily with reverse osmosis water. Bromeliads are crucial as their water-filled axils are used by frogs to deposit and rear tadpoles. Provide a shallow water bowl (2-3 mm depth).
Feeding and Supplementation: Must be fed live micro-prey daily. Suitable foods include Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies, springtails, and flour beetles. Dust prey items at every feeding with a high-quality calcium powder and multivitamin supplement containing Vitamin A.
Compatibility: Slightly more tolerant of group housing than larger morphs. A trio of one male and two females can be kept together in a well-decorated enclosure, but keepers must observe closely for any signs of female-on-female bullying or food denial.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to skin fungal infections if the terrarium lacks a proper drainage layer. Nutritional metabolic bone disease (MBD) occurs if calcium or vitamin A supplementation is ignored. Ensure the enclosure has excellent ventilation to prevent stagnant air build-up.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This distinct morph of Dendrobates tinctorius is native to the Bakhuis Mountains range in western Suriname. It inhabits the humid understory of mountain rainforests, living among damp leaf litter, mossy boulders, and fallen logs in a microclimate that remains humid and slightly cooler than the surrounding lowlands.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsAmazon, Orinoco, and Guianas
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 5 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 5 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 5 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.
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