 D.leucomelas |
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Every month, we will be featuring a different frog with expanded information and special prices. Please check back monthly to find out what will be the next Frog of the Month. |
| Dendrobates leucomelas |
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The featured frog for May is Dendrobates leucomelas. Dendrobates leucomelas is a boldly marked, frog that occurs in the lowland rainforests of Venezuela. Their colors range from yellow & black, to orange & black, and their patterns can also range from somewhat solid bands, to moderately patterned bands, to finely spotted with the bands almost disappearing into the spots. In the past, large numbers of D. leucomelas made its way into the U.S. and Europe through commercial importations for the pet trade, and due to their hardiness and relative ease of breeding, have become firmly established in the hobby. They are now considered one of the standards in the Hobby, despite the fact that Venezuela has since, closed to export. |
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D.leucomelas |
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D. leucomelas prefer it a little warmer than the “average” dart frog, and should be kept in the upper 70’s to the mid 80’s. In the wild they inhabit the forest floor and hide in the leaf litter around trees and fallen logs. In captivity, they should be kept in a well-planted terrarium to promote a feeling of security. This will also encourage the frogs to be bolder, as they won’t feel exposed. In general, D. leucomelas is considered to be relatively shy, but when given a sense of security the frogs become more active, and their bright coloration and bold markings make them easy to see in the terrarium. The males have a loud, canary-like call, which he uses to announce himself and to secure mates. The males will usually call from a hidden place, in hopes of attracting a willing female to breed. Receptive females will follow the male around, stroking his back until he leads her to a place that he has picked out for breeding. Placing coconut shells with petri dishes under them is one way to encourage the males to breed where the eggs can be found. The tadpoles of D. leucomelas should be reared individually, outside the frog’s enclosure. They can be raised on a diet of high quality tropical fish food until metamorphosis, which should take about 6 to 8 weeks. Other items fed to tadpoles include spirulina, chlorella, and mosquito larvae. Froglets can be raised together, and fed small food items such as pinhead crickets or fruit flies. D. leucomelas are definitely worth having in any collection. Their moderate size, bold markings, and loud calls, combined with their ease of maintenance and breeding makes this an excellent choice for beginners and advanced hobbyists alike |
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