Common Name: Green and Black Dart Frog

Scientific Name: Dendrobates auratus

Origin: Central and South America, from Nicaragua to Costa Rica to SE Brazil and
Bolivia. They were also introduced to Hawaii.

Size: Mature at 12 months and grow to about 2 inches.

Captive Care: A 10 gallon tank can house 2 to 3 individuals. At 29 gallon tank is nice for a breeding colony of 4 to 5 frogs. First rinse the tank with aged or distilled water (never use regular tap water). Then put in a layer of gravel, then a thin layer of dirt where the plants will be, next put a layer of presoaked moss and finally plants can be place in. Placing the gravel higher in spots and leaving the area free of moss can make a small stream. Pumps can also be put in so that the water doesn't become stale and smell. It is important to place a coconut hut in the tank with a leaf in a petri dish under the hut, so the frogs have a place to hide and lay their eggs. Also a glass top keeps in the humidity

Humidity: Needs to be at 80 percent or higher. So mist daily with dechlorinated or aged water.

Temperature: About 70 to 80 êF and can drop to 68 êF at night.

Lighting: Fluorescent lighting is recommended. It has not been proven that the frogs need the light, but it is beneficial to the plants. Lights should be on for 12- 14 hours a day.

Food: Calcium and vitamin dusted flightless fruitflies, and 1/8 to 1/4 inch crickets. In their natural habitat the frogs obtain their poison though the ants that they eat. They also eat small insects that they find on the forest floor with their good eyesight. Feed about 20 crickets per frog per day.

Handling: Dart frogs are very fragile and it not recommended that you hold them. For transportation it is suggested that they be scooped up into a plastic deli cup and taken to their destination.

Breeding: They breed in the rainy season, which is mid-July to mid-September. First males fight for territory, and then they call for mates. Females lay up to 6 eggs in a small pool of water. The males check on the eggs for the next 10- 14 days. Then the tadpoles hatch and climb onto the males back. The tadpoles stick with mucus secretions, and are carried to a lake or stream. Then it takes 6 more weeks for the tadpoles to develop into frogs.

Behavior: The frogs are diurnal, and live in tropical rainforests. Their bright colors act as warnings to predators.