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Poison Frogs - Conditions, Biotopes

Biotopes
Good care of a frog can only be improved by taking the time to study the natural biotope of this animal. The microclimate of a specific frog biotope can be completely different from the surrouding climate conditions. A fine example is the microclimate which surround the dendrobates Azureus, who lives in humid islands inside a much dryer surrounding. The biotope descriptions below can help you select the right conditions and plants for your frog to make him feel at home ( although most frogs are locally bred, the imitating the real natural biotope will result in happy, breedy frogs ).
The Inselberg biotope in French Gyana of f.i. Dendrobates Ventrimaculatus by Erik Poelman
Tropical Conditions
Poison frogs live in a rather narrow area in south & central america. Therefore they require tropical circumstances. The most important condition is a high humidity. Note that this reflects a high humidity in the air. Poison frogs do not like wet feet all the time, in principle a water section is not required for the frogs, they do well without it. However a constant high humidity of 90% or higher, can only be reached by a high amount of water in the tank. Normal confortable room humity levels of 50 - 60 % are too low for the long term. In nature poison frogs are sometimes found in places with a lower humidity, but when this is the case, one should pay special attention for the microclimate were the frog is actually living. Inside crevesses, around water or on the bottom under the schrubs and leaves the humidity is usually much higher then at 1 - 2 meters above the ground. The temperature range is usually 20 - 27 degrees C ( 68 - 80 degrees F ). Were a low temperature of 20 degrees celcius is usually obtained during the night and a temperature of 23 - 27 degrees celcius ( 74 - 80 degrees C ) is obtained during the day. There are regions with poison frogs were a high temperature of 30 degrees C ( 86 degrees F) can be reached, but also at high elevation ( 1700 m ) were 18 - 22 degrees Celcius ( 64 - 72 degrees F ) is recorded with Dendrobates Silverstonei, but these are exceptions instead of rules. Generally my frogs do well at 24 - 25 degrees C, and are usually much slower, tend to hide or loose their appetite when the temperature is 22 degrees C or lower. When you start with poison frogs it is important to take notice of their natural surroundings.
Other conditions Besides these obvious conditions there are more conditions to consider, like lighting, artificial rain, ventilation, natural versus sterile and plants. Some of these are born from your own needs, but most of them are also in the frogs interest and should not be disregarded easily. Lighting is a important factor in the frogs health, the lights should not be on too long in order to give the animal its required resting period. Sudden starts and stops of lights can be stressy for frogs, although usually captive bred frogs do not mind to much. Another factor is UV light. The light required for the plants is also benificial for the frogs, especially if they are growing. UV light stimulates the formation of vitamin D3, which is essential for the calcium take up during growth. In most insect dusting powders vitamim D3 is available, so it can be replaced, but UV light is a sure thing. Rain is not required and a matter of taste. Poison frogs are stimulated to call ( and get in "the mood" ) during raining season. Therefore a period without rain, followed by a period with heavy rain can make a difference in behaviour for the frogs. Again this is not a must, some frogs do not need rain. Ventilation, is required for a number of things like to prevent the windows from fogging and dry the leaves of the plants. But it also prevents rapid growth of fungus in the vivarium, which can in turn form a breeding place for fungus infections of the frogs. Natural versus sterile vivariums is not just a matter of personal affection. When you get a frog desease in a natural vivarium, it will be extremely difficult to get it sterile. In a sterile vivarium this is easily done. Most breeders use sterile vivaria to grow their small froglets to frogs, which makes them more prone to deseases when inserted in a natural vivarium. For breeding this option will work well, however most Poison frog keepers make real art-work from their vivarium, which provides a lot of fun. Of all plants bromelaids should always be available in a poison frog vivarium. Although strictly not required for survival, they like to rest and spend the night in a bromelaid. In my vivarium they will almost always rest ( and sleep ) on a bromelaid or on the tree trunk, but i never caught them sleeping on an orchid leave, and i have only captive bred frogs.

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