Azure Poison Dart Frog - Dendrobates auratus
[Back to Amphibian Care Sheets]

 

General Information

Distribution — Southern Surinam where it is boarded by Brazil and French Guyana.

Habitat — On or among rocks bordering streams that run through rainforest habitat.

Adult Size — Adult females attain snout-vent lengths of 4.5 cm (2 inches). Males are slightly smaller - rarely attaining 4.0 cm.

Temperament — Poison dart frogs are active alert animals that will forage in their enclosure during the day.

Longevity — This species lives to be between 8 and 10 years old in captivity.

Captive Care

Rating: 2 — Domestically bred poison dart frogs require high humidity environments and plenty of small prey items.  This species is given a rating of two due to the specialized dietary and environmental needs.

Diet: Fruit flies, pinhead crickets, aphids, and springtails.

Temperature: 22oC to 27oC (72o-81oF).

Space: A couple of adults adult can be housed a 10-15 gallon terrarium. Larger groups require larger terraria.

Breeding: As is the case with most poison dart frogs, successful breeding requires a group of adults and the proper egg deposition sites. Dendrobates azureus breeds well provided that several small "cave-like" structures covering shallow pools of water are available.  Coconut shell halves or small earthenware flowerpots with small entrance holes are suitable.  Eggs should be removed a day after they are deposited and incubated separately at a temperature of about 24oC-26oC.  Tadpoles should be housed individually in small containers and fed flake fish food,  defrosted mosquito larvae, and finely chopped earthworms.

Special Requirements: Frequent misting is a must for this species.  Frequent feeding is also a must as these frogs feed on very small prey and they are active relative to many other frog species.

Sources (Suggested Reading):

Bartlett, R.D. 1996. Frogs, Toads, and Treefrogs. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 104.

Mattison, Chris. 1993. Keeping and Breeding Amphibians. Cassell Publishing, London, UK. Pp. 224.

Schmidt W., and F. W. Henkel. 2004.  Poison Frogs.  Chimaira Press, Frankfurt, Germany.  Pp. 166. 

Staniszewski, Marc. 1995. Amphibians in Captivity. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune, New Jersey. Pp. 544.

[Back to Amphibian Care Sheets]