Poison Dart Frog Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

15+ years

AVERAGE ADULT SIZE

0.5-2.5 inches depending on species

CAGE TEMPS

Day time: 65-80°F

HUMIDITY

80-100% humidity levels 

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Nocturnal (most active at night) and terrestrial (ground dwelling). These frogs live in groups of the same species and will get along fine if there is proper space for each frog.

FEEDING

Carnivorous (insectivorous) - live food. Dart frogs must be fed tiny insects. Their diet should consist of flightless fruit flies, springtails, pin head crickets, small meal worms and small dubia or discoid roaches. Juveniles need to be fed more often (4-5 times a week) than adults (2-3 times a week). 

SUPPLEMENTS

Dust food with calcium with D3 and vitamin supplement regularly.

WATER

All water given to amphibians for bathing, swimming or drinking, as well as water used for misting must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals.

ENCLOSURE SIZE

A minimum of 5 gallons of tank space per frog is suitable space, but a tank smaller than 10 gallons should not be used.

BIOACTIVE

Setting up a bioactive terrarium for Poison Dart frogs is generally deemed as required to successfully keep dart frogs long term due to the high humidity levels they require. A bioactive terrarium requires live reptile safe plants, bio bugs, a drainage layer, substrate barrier, soil layers, leaf litter and plant lighting to be successful.

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a loose coconut fiber or soil substrate along with terrarium mosses and leaf litter. These substrates will help hold humidity.

BRANCHES & PLANTS

Branches and plants must be included in the enclosure to provide sleeping and climbing spots for your tree frog.

UVB LIGHTING

While not essential to successful dart frog keeping, UVB lighting can be beneficial to all amphibians overall health. Plant growth lighting for your bioactive terrarium is required to keep live plants healthy.

DAY/NIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

All amphibians must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosures. Poison Dart Frogs need 8-12 hours of daytime and 8-12 hours of nighttime. This can be maintained with a timer. Dart Frogs generally tolerate a wide range of temperatures and normally do not require addition heating elements in their terrariums.

HABITAT MAINTENANCE

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing visible waste, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. A true bioactive tank needs very minimal cleaning, but biodegradable items should be replaced regularly such as leaf litter and plants if they die off.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• 10-20 Gal or larger tank 
• Large water dish 
• Reptile safe live plants 
• Bio bugs like isopods and/or springtails 
• Leaf litter 
• Expanded clay pebbles for drainage layer 
• Coconut fiber and/or soil substrates 
• Sphagnum moss or mesh liner for substrate barrier layer 
• Woods or décor for hides 
• UVB or plant lighting and hood 
• Temperature/Humidity gauge 
• Metal mesh tank cover with glass topper to hold in humidity 
• Spray bottle 
• Fogger or misting system 
• Water dechlorinate 
• Calcium and vitamin supplements 

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.