Splash-Backed Poison Frog

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

Medium sized poison frog (30-40mm). The colouring is usually black with a yellow or orange "splashed" back, like a paint splash has been dropped on his back. The colouring on the splash can vary from yellow via orange to (red)brown. Terrestrial. Eggs are laid on the ground, where they hatch in 10 to 14 days. The tadpoles are then carried to the water.

Did you know?
These frogs seem to gather in small true social groups and stay even in corporal contact with members of the same species for a short period, independent of the presence of a food source, lack of moisture or of the reproduction period.

Factsheet
Class	AMPHIBIA
Order	AMPHIBIA
Suborder	NEOBATRACHIA
Family	DENDROBATIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Adelphobates galactonotus
Name (English)	Splash-Backed Poison Frog
Name (French)	Dendrobate du Tapajos
Name (German)	Bernsteinbaumsteiger
Name (Spanish)	Rana flecha moteada, Rana de flecha de espalda pintada
CITES Status	Appendix II
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
OpenCage

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Brazil
Habitat	It lives in the leaf litter of the tropical rain forest, where little light reaches the ground and reproduction takes place in temporary pools
Wild population	Locally abundant. Forest conversion, logging, fire and the international pet trade are threats to this species. The populations in Tocantins state are threatened by hydroelectric development.
Zoo population	104 reported to ISIS (2007). Also kept as pet by private owners.

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 45 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Why do zoos keep this animal

Neotropical frogs are threatened by habitat distruction, disease and other factors. Zoos and aquariums keeping these species want to build up reserve populations and to raise awareness of the global amphibian crisis. Several zoos have also linked their ex situ activities with involvement in in situ conservation.

How this animal should be kept

Dendrobates galactonotus is a ground dweller, that can be kept in a vivarium of 60x40x40 cm. It can be kept in small groups. The humidity should reach 80%-100% and the temperature should be between 25-28 degrees C at daytime and 23 degrees C at night. Places for hiding should be provided, as well as branches or peat bricks for climbing. While all tropical plants can be planted, in particular climbing plants at the side walls, Bromelia should be present in any case. A small water body as well as a small water fall should be provided. The water temperature should be kept between 23-26 degrees C. The water must be changed every two days. They can be fed with fruitflies, springtails, microcrickets, tropical woodlice, tiny waxmoth larvae, aphids, tiny early stage mealworms, greenflies and other small arthropods. Vitamin/mineral supplement is required. For reproduction small water reservoirs, placed at different microclimates are necessary (e. g. small black film boxes, coconut-halves with a small petri dish). They lay about 12 eggs, which seem to be very susceptible to developmental problems if their water temperature is not monitored. Temperatures that are too cold seem to contribute to short-femur development in the froglets. After the tadpoles have been carried by the males into bigger water containers they can be removed and be fed with fish food (if possible live). Up to five frogs should be placed into a small terrarium with a small water container and about 2 – 3 cm of soil with enough springtails so that the young frogs are always surrounded by food.