Green and Black Dart Frog "Microspot"
Dendrobates auratus
A beautiful auratus morph from Panama, displaying a dark body covered with numerous tiny metallic green spots. Terrestrial, somewhat shy, and requires a stable rainforest setup.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
80 - 95 %
Température diurne
23 - 26 °C
Température nocturne
20 °C
Température ambiante
23 - 26 °C
Enclos minimal
>= 45 L
UVB
Ferguson 1-2
UVI
0 - 1 UVI
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Distributed across Central America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) and northern Colombia. They are highly adaptable and frequently found in cacao plantations, humid gardens, and lowland rainforest floors near small streams.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Reach a size of 3.5–4.5 cm as adults. The "Microspot" morph is characterized by a fragmented pattern of tiny, microscopic green dots scattered over a black body.
Behavior and Habits: Generally shy and elusive. They spend much of their time hiding in dense foliage, emerging to hunt in the early morning or after rains. Males emit a soft, buzzing call resembling an electric razor. They are both terrestrial and semi-arboreal.
Morphology: Sexual dimorphism is subtle: adult females are typically larger and rounder, while males are more slender and develop small nuptial pads during the breeding season.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: Require a bioactive terrarium of at least 45x45x60 cm. Provide dense planting (Pothos, ferns, Neoregelia bromeliads) to help them overcome their natural shyness. A thick layer of leaf litter is essential to provide hiding spots and support micro-prey.
Lighting and Heating: Prefer cool-to-moderate temperatures. Maintain a daytime range of 23–26°C. Temperatures above 28°C cause severe stress and lethargy. Provide weak UVB lighting (2–5%) to support diurnal activity and vitamin D3 synthesis. Maintain a night drop to 20°C.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity of 80–95%. Spray the terrarium daily using an automated misting system. Avoid muddy or stagnant substrate. Good cross-ventilation is vital to prevent respiratory issues.
Feeding and Supplementation: Feed 4–5 times a week with flightless fruit flies (Drosophila), springtails, and dwarf tropical isopods. Dust all feeder insects with calcium carbonate at every feeding, and supplement with vitamins and D3 once a week.
Compatibility: Relatively tolerant compared to other dart frogs. Can be kept in small groups or harems (one male, multiple females) in spacious, well-planted enclosures. Monitor for any stress or submissive behaviors.
Health and Common Diseases: Never handle with bare hands to protect their delicate, semi-permeable skin. Highly susceptible to chytrid fungus and vitamin deficiencies. Watch for signs of lethargy, closed eyes, or incomplete sheds.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Distributed across Central America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama) and northern Colombia. They are highly adaptable and frequently found in cacao plantations, humid gardens, and lowland rainforest floors near small streams.
Origine
Sélection et cultivarsAmérique du Sud hors AmazonieAmérique centrale et CaraïbesAmérique du NordAsie de l'EstOcéans tropicaux et récifsCosmopolite ou introduit
Profil d'amphibien
- Régime alimentaire
- Insectivore
- This species primarily feeds on small invertebrates such as fruit flies, springtails, and dwarf isopods. It is essential to dust their food with high-quality vitamin and calcium supplements at nearly every feeding. Offering a varied diet ensures optimal health and coloration. In captivity, they eagerly hunt down actively moving prey items.
- Espérance de vie
- 8-15 years
- Taille adulte
- 4 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- Primarily terrestrial, they spend most of their time dwelling in the leaf litter of the forest floor. However, they will also occasionally climb low-lying branches and vegetation to explore. A terrarium with a thick layer of magnolia or oak leaves best replicates their natural habitat. They thrive in highly humid environments that simulate tropical rainforest floors.
- Cycle d'activité
- Diurnal
- They are strictly diurnal, meaning they are most active during daylight hours. Throughout the morning and late afternoon, they actively hunt for prey across the terrarium floor. During the hottest parts of the day, they may retreat to cooler, shaded areas. A proper day-night lighting cycle is important for regulating their natural circadian rhythms.
- Sociabilité
- Gregarious
- These frogs are known for their relatively bold and active nature in a well-planted vivarium. They can be territorial, especially males, though they can often be kept in small groups if enough space is provided. They spend a large portion of their day actively foraging and exploring the leaf litter. Providing ample hiding spots will encourage them to be more visible and reduce stress.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding often occurs after a period of heavy misting simulating the rainy season. Females typically lay small clutches of eggs on smooth leaves or in specialized breeding huts. Once tadpoles hatch, males often transport them to small water pockets such as bromeliad axils. Proper humidity and temperature are critical to encourage successful mating behavior.
- Toxicité
- Toxic
- While wild individuals possess potent lipophilic alkaloid toxins derived from their specific natural diet, captive-bred specimens are completely harmless and non-toxic. The lack of dietary alkaloid precursors in captivity prevents them from synthesizing these defensive chemicals. However, despite their lack of toxicity in captivity, their bright warning coloration (aposematism) remains a stunning display of evolutionary adaptation. Basic hygiene practices should still be observed after terrarium maintenance.
- Stade de vie
- Neotenic
- The life cycle begins with eggs laid in moist, terrestrial locations, which develop into aquatic tadpoles over a period of a few weeks. The adult frog actively transports the newly hatched tadpoles on its back to small pools of water, such as bromeliad axils, to complete their development. Metamorphosis into tiny froglets takes several months, and the resulting adults can live for 10 to 15 years or more under exceptional captive care.
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Display only
- Direct physical handling should be strictly avoided due to the extreme fragility of their delicate, semi-permeable skin. Human skin oils, salts, and standard household chemicals can easily be absorbed and cause severe, life-threatening stress or toxicity to the frog. When transferring individuals, it is highly recommended to gently coax them into a clean, smooth container rather than grasping them by hand.
- Brumation
- As tropical amphibians originating from consistently warm and humid equatorial environments, this species does not undergo brumation or hibernation. They require stable, warm temperatures and high humidity year-round to maintain their metabolic processes and overall health. Any significant or prolonged drop in temperature can compromise their immune system and lead to serious health complications or death.
- Mue
- Periodic
- Like all healthy amphibians, they shed their outer layer of skin on a regular basis, a process that occurs more frequently during periods of rapid growth. The shedding process is remarkably quick and involves the frog contorting its body to loosen the skin before pulling it forward and consuming it. This natural behavior helps the animal recycle vital nutrients and is often completed in a secluded area, making it rarely observed by keepers.
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