Strawberry Poison Dart Frog: Care Information & Species Profile

This beautiful herp is a part of an enormous household of poison dart frogs (Dendrobatidae) and is among the most desired by amphibian keepers. With as many as 30 coloration morphs, these stunning frogs make an excellent addition to any skilled herptile fanatic’s assortment.

Notice that we mentioned, “skilled.” That is necessary. Strawberry darts are extraordinarily delicate critters, and we solely advocate them should you’ve bought a robust monitor document preserving amphibians.

In case you’re able to tackle the problem, you’ll discover that these frogs are as compelling as they’re beautiful. Take a look at our full care information and species profile beneath!

What’s a Strawberry Poison Dart Frog?

The strawberry poison dart frog (Oophaga pumilio) is native to a lot of Central America. It’s generally present in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama and prefers to reside in low-lying, forested areas.

About That Poison…

Like all dendrobatidae, it’s extremely toxic. It’s not essentially the most poisonous member of the household – that doubtful honor goes to the golden poison frog, probably essentially the most toxic recognized animal, who by no means will get invited over at Frog Christmas.

Nonetheless, the strawberry dart has greater than sufficient poison to kill an grownup human inside minutes if ingested. Their poison comes from the bugs they devour and is their major protection mechanism in opposition to predators. In nature, vibrant colours sometimes point out that consuming one thing is a foul concept, and this frog is not any exception.

We’ll cowl dealing with necessities for these deadly beauties later, however for now, observe that you just received’t die just by touching a strawberry dart. In fact, it’s a unique story should you contact the frog after which use the identical hand to eat a sandwich.

In case you contact the frog accidentally, wash your fingers very completely with cleaning soap earlier than touching every other surfaces, and also you’ll possible endure no in poor health results.

Recognition & Shortage

These are among the many hottest poison dart variants within the U.S. That is partly as a result of their unbelievable vary of coloration morphs. Estimates recommend that there are as many as 30 coloration morphs recognized, though uncommon morphs could price extra. Because the title suggests, essentially the most frequent coloration for these critters is strawberry crimson.

Sadly, as with nearly all animals that folks need to preserve as pets, these amphibians are generally illegally captured and traded. That is very true of uncommon coloration morphs, as they’ll fetch very excessive costs. Remember.

Now for the excellent news – you possibly can purchase a strawberry dart legally within the U.S. with confidence that it’s been sourced ethically. As all the time, this relies on discovering a reliable breeder or vendor, doing all of your homework, and the whole lot else we count on all herp fanatics to do when discovering a brand new pet.

Fast Details

*Some coloration morphs are given distinctive names – the “blue denims” variant is probably essentially the most sought-after within the U.S.

Strawberry Poison Dart Frog Care Sheet

Caring for a strawberry dart requires analysis and dedication. Darts are choosy about their substrate, and there’s little room for error with heating necessities. Additionally they require loads of shade.

The factor that many novice amphibian keepers overlook is humidity, or slightly, spraying the tank often. Strawberry darts wish to have their tank sprayed twice each day. Forgetting that is among the many major causes these frogs aren’t really helpful for inexperienced persons – a cat will let you know when it’s thirsty. A frog received’t.

Tank Necessities

Strawberry darts are more than pleased in a typical 10-gallon tank. We advocate 20″ x 12″ x 10″, however small variations don’t matter an excessive amount of.

The primary concern with smaller tanks is that there is probably not sufficient house so as to add all of the furnishings they want for a cushty surroundings. In the meantime, an outsized tank is more durable to maintain as humid as they like.

Lighting and Heating

You might not want to put in any heating parts within the tank, as these frogs reside fortunately at room temperature. Nonetheless, it’s value monitoring the ambient temperature within the room you propose to put in the tank.

In case you’re averaging 70-80F in summer season, it’ll possible get too chilly in winter, so a low-power lightbulb may make an enormous distinction within the tank. Lighting may assist preserve reside crops, which the frog will love (so long as they’re wholesome!)

These frogs have an excellent photoperiod – they require round 12 hours every of sunshine and darkness. Together with misting the tank, forgetting to offer sufficient mild and darkness is a frequent rookie mistake. It will stress the frog out and will make it in poor health over time.

Humidity

Humidity ought to be stored at round 75-80% apart from whenever you mist the frog’s tank. It’s best to do that twice each day, as soon as within the morning and as soon as within the night.

Lacking one misting received’t kill the frog, and should you discover that the tank tends to stay extraordinarily humid after misting, chances are you’ll solely must do it as soon as per day (nighttime is greatest). Nonetheless, misting is the easiest way to maintain the tank on the splendid humidity, and excessive humidity is far much less damaging than low humidity.

Equally necessary is utilizing water that received’t hurt the frog. Amphibians take in water by way of their pores and skin, and our faucet water is chlorinated, so spraying freshly poured faucet water into the tank is a good way to reveal your pet to poisonous chlorine.

There are a number of methods to make sure you’re utilizing frog-safe water:

• Use spring water. Bottled spring water hasn’t been handled like faucet water, so it’s completely protected for misting.
• Purchase a dechlorination machine. These can be found at most pet shops promoting herps or fish. You may also purchase one on-line – dechlorination time varies relying on the machine, so test the directions.
• Go away the water out for two days. The gases in faucet water evaporate naturally – it simply takes some time. 2 days of standing time will make sure that the chlorine has totally evaporated. That is the most affordable methodology, and one evaporation session gives you sufficient water for a number of mistings.

Substrate

Strawberry poison frogs change into pickier about substrate as they age. Moist paper towels serve nicely sufficient for younger frogs, however ideally, it’s best to present 2-3″ substrate together with:

• Coconut coir. That is reasonably priced and straightforward to make use of. It’s additionally an excellent rising medium for mosses and any crops you’d wish to preserve within the tank.
• Orchid bark. This gives nice drainage and is on the market at many pet shops or on-line.
• Sphagnum moss. The frog will recognize the humidity this retains, and it provides a beautiful contact to your tank. Tropical mosses are even higher, though many herp fanatics discover them troublesome to keep up. It’s higher to have a wholesome, plain substrate than a problematic however enticing layer!

You’ll additionally want a drainage layer to make sure the underside of the tank doesn’t change into waterlogged. Giant gravel items are simple and reasonably priced – this layer ought to be 1-2″ thick and guarded by window screening. In any other case, the substrate will fall down and block gaps within the drainage layer.

Furnishings

Strawberry poison frogs love shelter. They’ll change into burdened in the event that they really feel continually uncovered.

Coconut husks are a good way to offer some shade with minimal upkeep. In case you can preserve wholesome crops in your terrarium, these may even present nice cowl and assist create a pure surroundings for the frog. Plus, your terrarium will look wonderful!

Small bromeliads are an ideal selection for a poison dart frog terrarium, particularly should you’re contemplating breeding them. Poison dart frogs have a well-documented love of bromeliads, and these crops are simple to keep up so long as you present a considerable drainage layer beneath the substrate.

Giant leaves (e.g., oak, magnolia) are additionally an excellent addition, as they supply cowl for the frog and can maintain reside meals.

Faux crops are additionally a sound selection. Once more, should you’re not assured sustaining a full ecosystem in your tank, it’s higher to decide on a low-maintenance possibility than investing in a bunch of tropical crops that repeatedly get in poor health and die. That is costly and doesn’t do your frog any good.

It’s best to present a really shallow bowl of water so the frog can bathe when it desires. This additionally helps preserve ambient humidity. Watch out to not add any deep water options, as these frogs can’t swim.

What Do They Eat?

As they’re such tiny animals, strawberry darts have pretty restricted feeding choices. Nonetheless, fruit flies are an ever-abundant selection that they’ll take to fortunately.

Different choices embody:

• Pinhead crickets
• Termites
• Aphids
• Springtails

Particularly for youthful frogs, it’s really helpful that you just mud their meals with a mineral complement as soon as per week. Even essentially the most correct terrarium weight loss program received’t fairly match what they discover within the wild.

These frogs ought to be fed each 2-3 days. We advise you test for residual, uneaten meals whenever you go to feed your frog. In case you discover your frog incessantly has leftover meals after 3 days, it could be burdened or sick.

How one can Hold Them Wholesome

These frogs get pleasure from a clear surroundings, and any issues that may’t be resolved by enhancing environmental situations (e.g., growing humidity) could require specialist assist.

Tank Cleansing

It’s best to spot-clean the tank each 1-2 days. In case you’re utilizing pure crops and mosses, preserve an eye fixed out for disfigured or sickly crops – your frog received’t get pleasure from these, and they need to be eliminated or trimmed as applicable. Lower leaves must also be eliminated and changed weekly.

Spot cleansing of the tank’s partitions ought to be completed with clear, sizzling water – ideally, this ought to be dechlorinated, as it is going to contribute to the tank’s humidity ranges. Wipe surfaces dry with clear paper towels as soon as clear.

Full cleansing ought to be completed each few months. It will contain:

• Altering the substrate
• Cleansing the drainage layer
• Cleansing furnishings
• Intensively scrubbing the partitions – you should use a ten elements water/1 half bleach resolution, however one of the best methodology is just sizzling water and elbow grease
• Cleansing the sunshine
• Including new crops if desired

Vet Visits

Before you purchase a strawberry poison dart frog, it’s advisable to discover a native vet specializing in unique pets, particularly amphibians.

Realizing a superb vet is 100% important for herp fanatics. Strawberry darts can change into burdened and fall sick as a result of extraordinarily delicate local weather modifications, and there’s nothing worse than not figuring out what the issue is as your pet suffers.

How Lengthy Do Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs Reside?

The typical lifespan in captivity is 10-15 years. It’s unclear how lengthy they sometimes reside within the wild.

Exceeding 15 years isn’t unusual, and a few strawberry darts have been reported to reside for over 20 years. If cared for correctly, they’re among the many most rewarding long-term amphibian companions.

Strawberry Poison Dart Frog Conduct

Captive-raised strawberry darts are sometimes far more docile and hardy than wild-caught frogs. Mixing wild and farm-raised frogs isn’t really helpful, as they’re accustomed to completely different situations and should change into aggressive towards one another.

Captive-bred strawberry dart frogs are sometimes more durable to seek out than captured specimens, as strawberry darts are extremely troublesome to breed in captivity. Nonetheless, they’re extra prone to have been sourced ethically and adapt to terrarium situations far more readily.

These frogs aren’t aggressive – they’re slightly shy. They get pleasure from shade and shelter, and one of the best time to see them is after they’re fortunately feeding.

Dealing with

You shouldn’t deal with poison dart frogs besides when completely crucial. There are two major causes.

1. The frog doesn’t prefer it. These amphibians are shy, retiring creatures that don’t get pleasure from contact with people or any animals apart from different poison darts or their prey! They’ve spent aeons growing a hanging coloration scheme that claims, “don’t contact me.” It’s greatest to respect that.
2. They’re extremely toxic. Poison dart frogs include sufficient poison to put you out in minutes – should you eat them. You received’t, however dealing with these frogs is a cross-contamination threat. The much less you contact them, the higher; if you must deal with your frog, put on gloves and wash them completely after dealing with.

Bonus purpose: they’re tiny, they usually bounce. In case you take your frog out of the tank to point out it to a pal, there’s a superb likelihood it’ll simply hop out of your fingers and vanish. For such brightly-colored animals, they’re very, superb at hiding.

It will current a deadly consequence for the frog and a critical well being threat to everybody in your house. Don’t deal with them except you’re cleansing the tank, and attempt to preserve it transient and delicate.

Look

Strawberry poison darts are tiny and brightly coloured, like most frogs within the dendrobatidae household.

Measurement

It’s very uncommon for these frogs to exceed 1.5″. Most captive-bred frogs are between 0.5″ and 1″.

Regardless of their small measurement, they’re simple to identify in a terrarium due to their unbelievable coloration shows.

Colours

Strawberry darts are among the many hottest of all poison darts due to their unbelievable coloration vary. Their namesake strawberry-red coloring is taken into account among the many most stunning of all frogs, and the 30-odd coloration morphs solely add to the frog’s desirability for herp fanatics.

Usually, a strawberry dart might be principally scarlet. Properly-known morphs embody blue or cream-colored legs and ft. Many frogs even have black spots on their again.

The underbelly might also be partly coloured blue, and it usually has an iridescent sheen.

In case you’re fortunate sufficient to discover a uncommon strawberry dart morph, guarantee it’s coming from a licensed breeder or respected purveyor earlier than shopping for it.

Breeding Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs

This species doesn’t take to breeding in captivity. Skilled breeders have spent years making an attempt to influence strawberry darts to breed, however even the slightest drawback with their surroundings can spoil all of it.

Right here’s what to know if you wish to breed strawberry darts.

1. Most eggs received’t hatch. Eggs are laid in clusters of 3-10, and if 1-2 hatch, you’ve completed very nicely.
2. The photoperiod issues. Drop the sunshine situations throughout October and November. The frogs will change into semi-dormant and received’t require as a lot misting or feeding. Proceed this till late March or April.
3. Begin misting closely in April. You’ll must mist the tank 2-4 occasions per day to retain excessive humidity. They’re accustomed to heavy rainfall when breeding after an extended, sluggish winter.
4. Hold bromeliads. These crops are the place the frogs naturally lay their eggs. A movie canister can act as an alternative, however bromeliads are instinctively acquainted.

Mother and father will handle tadpoles within the early levels, however as soon as they become froglets, the younger need separation. Probably the most profitable breeders have usually separated strawberry dart froglets into separate terrariums.

How A lot Do Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs Price?

Strawberry darts price between $25 and $70. Nonetheless, uncommon morphs could price considerably extra. Make sure you’re buying your frog from a good breeder or vendor, and by no means base your choice on the bottom value.

Abstract

Strawberry poison dart frogs are extremely rewarding pets – however they want their creature comforts. Establishing your terrarium correctly is a vital first step. Understanding the frogs’ each day wants is the subsequent. Strawberry darts require quite a lot of love and care, and should you give it to them, they’ll thrive for a few years.

In case you’re an skilled amphibian proprietor and are able to tackle a brand new problem, these stunning frogs are an ideal selection!