Find Stunning Dart Frogs & Mantellas for Sale at Reptilessales.com
When searching for stunning dart frogs and mantellas, look no further than Reptilessales.com. As a trusted source for captive-bred amphibians since 2008, Reptilessales.com offers a variety of striking poison dart frogs and mantellas for sale.
Select from Many Colorful Species
Reptilessales.com has a vast collection of dart frogs and mantellas for sale, including:
- Dendrobates tinctorius ‘Azureus,’ with its vivid blue and black coloration.
- Mantella baroni, the Baroni’s mantella, featuring yellow and black warning colors.
- Dendrobates leucomelas, the yellow-banded dart frog, displaying yellow and black bands.
With over 30 species of dart frogs and mantellas available, you are sure to find one that catches your eye.
High-Quality, Captive-Bred Specimens
All dart frogs and mantellas for sale on Reptilessales.com are captive-bred. Reptilessales.com works with reputable breeders to offer healthy, well-started froglets and adults. By choosing captive-bred specimens, you can acquire an amphibian companion confidently knowing you are supporting sustainable breeding practices.
Expert Guidance and Resources
The team at Reptilessales.com has over 20 years of experience breeding and caring for dart frogs and mantellas. They are available to provide guidance on proper habitat setup, handling, and diet for your new pet. Reptilessales.com also offers useful resources on their website to help you become an expert poison dart frog or mantella owner.
With a huge selection, captive-bred specimens, and expert support, Reptilessales.com is the top source for purchasing striking and colorful dart frogs and mantellas. Find your perfect amphibian companion today!
What do poison dart frogs eat
Poison dart frogs are primarily insectivores, feeding on a variety of small insects and arachnids in the wild.###
In captivity, the diet should aim to replicate this as much as possible. Live or canned feeder insects, like pinhead crickets, fruit flies, springtails, and bean beetles, should make up the bulk of an adult dart frog’s diet. Feed juvenile frogs every day, while adults can be fed 2-3 times a week. Gut-loaded (recently fed) insects are more nutritious, as the nutrients are passed onto the frog.
Providing a varied diet with different feeder insects, in moderation, helps ensure the frog receives all the nutrients it needs. However, certain feeders like waxworms are high in fat, so they should only be given occasionally as treats. It is also a good idea to lightly dust feeder insects with a vitamin and calcium powder 1-2 times a week to maintain the frog’s health, especially for females.
Always have clean, dechlorinated water available for your dart frogs in a shallow water bowl. Though they absorb most of the moisture they need from their diet, frogs still require access to fresh water for proper hydration and to keep their skin moist.
With the proper diet and supplements, captive bred poison dart frogs can live 4-15 years on average, depending on the species. Monitoring your frog to ensure it is feeding regularly and maintaining a healthy weight, in addition to an annual checkup with an experienced exotic animal veterinarian, will help keep your pet happy and thriving for years to come.
Where do poison dart frogs live
Poison dart frogs, including species in the genera Dendrobates and Mantella, are native to tropical rainforests in Central and South America. More specifically,
Geographic Range
These amphibians originate in regions of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana. Poison dart frogs inhabit the forest floor and low-lying plants in rainforests, preferring warm, humid environments.
The most well-known species, Dendrobates auratus (also known as Dendrobates pumilio), is commonly found in the Bocas del Toro province of Panama and along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Other popular species for captive breeding, such as Dendrobates leucomelas or Dendrobates tinctorius, are native to parts of Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. All species of poison dart frogs live almost exclusively in tropical rainforests, requiring consistently warm and wet conditions to survive.
Due to deforestation and habitat loss, some species of poison dart frogs have become endangered in the wild. However, captive breeding programs have supported conservation efforts to release these frogs back to their natural environments and boost populations. Several species of dart frogs and mantellas are bred in captivity by reputable breeders to supply the pet trade, using specimens that are not suitable for release. By purchasing captive-bred poison dart frogs from licensed and ethical breeders, hobbyists can enjoy these colorful amphibians as pets while supporting conservation.
In summary, poison dart frogs and mantellas are native to rainforest environments in Central and South America, though some species have been bred in captivity to supply the pet trade and support conservation efforts. Providing the warm, humid conditions these frogs need can allow hobbyists to keep certain species as exotic pets.
Are dart frogs poisonous
Are dart frogs poisonous?
Dart frogs secrete toxins through their skin that can be dangerous to humans and other animals. However, captive-bred dart frogs sold as pets have had their toxins bred out over many generations. Reptilessales.com only sells captive-bred dart frogs that are non-toxic and safe to handle and keep as pets.
When determining if a dart frog is poisonous, there are a few factors to consider:
- Origin: Dart frogs bred in captivity, like the ones sold by Reptilessales.com, have lost their ability to secrete toxins over many generations. Frogs caught in the wild may still possess and secrete these toxins, making them dangerous to handle.
- Species: Some species of dart frogs, such as the Golden poison frog, secrete particularly potent toxins and should be avoided. The species sold as pets, such as the Dendrobates Tinctorius, Dendrobates Auratus, and Mantellas, have been bred in captivity for many generations and are non-toxic.
- Diet: Dart frogs gain their toxicity from consuming certain insects in the wild. Captive-bred frogs are fed a diet of non-toxic fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and springtails, resulting in the loss of toxicity over generations.
- Color: Contrary to popular belief, a dart frog’s coloration alone does not indicate if it is poisonous or not. Many non-toxic, captive-bred species have bright colors and patterns. Color should not be used to determine a frog’s toxicity.
In summary, captive-bred dart frogs that have been bred for many generations, like those sold by Reptilessales.com, have lost their ability to secrete toxins and are safe to keep as pets. However, wild-caught frogs should always be avoided due to uncertainty regarding their toxicity. When selecting a dart frog, be sure to purchase from a reputable breeder and consider the frog’s origin, species, and diet to determine its safety.
Can you touch poison dart frogs
Poison dart frogs secrete toxins through their skin that can be dangerous to humans upon contact. However, captive-bred dart frogs sold as pets have a much lower toxicity and are considered safe to handle once you take proper precautions.
Handling Precautions
When handling your pet frog, it is important to thoroughly wash and rinse your hands before and after contact. Soap and water will remove any toxins that may be present on the skin. You should also avoid contact between the frog’s secretions and any open wounds or mucous membranes like your eyes.
As an additional precaution, you may choose to wear disposable gloves, especially when first beginning to handle your frog. Latex or nitrile gloves can provide an effective barrier between your skin and the frog. Be very gentle when handling the frog, as their delicate skin and bones can be easily injured. Only handle pet frogs when necessary to move or transport them.
Minimizing Toxin Production
Several factors influence the level of toxins present in captive dart frogs. Providing the proper diet, environment, and habitat for your frog will help ensure lower toxicity. Feed your frog a diet of properly gut-loaded and supplemented feeder insects. House your frog in an escape-proof enclosure with plenty of foliage, humidity, and heat. Limit stress by providing hiding spots, minimal noise and vibrations, proper UVB lighting, and regular interaction/feeding.
By following recommended handling procedures and meeting the habitat requirements of your frog, the risks of toxicity from casual contact with a captive-bred pet dart frog are very low. However, as with any amphibian, their skin secretions may still irritate sensitive individuals. If signs of skin irritation occur from contact, wash the area thoroughly and apply a cortisone cream. Seek medical attention for any severe or prolonged reaction.
Are mantella frogs poisonous
Mantella frogs, like all frogs, have glands that secrete toxic substances to deter predators. However, mantella frogs are not lethal to humans. Their secretions may irritate the mucous membranes and skin, but they are not deadly in small amounts. As with any amphibian, you should thoroughly wash your hands after handling a mantella frog to avoid transferring irritating secretions to your eyes or mouth.
Are Mantella Frogs Poisonous to Touch?
Mantella frogs have glands, known as granular glands, that produce toxic secretions containing alkaloids and peptides. These secretions deter predators and may irritate the mucous membranes of other animals. While the secretions can irritate human skin and eyes, mantella frogs are not deadly to touch or handle. However, their secretions may cause minor skin irritation, especially if there are small cuts or abrasions on the skin. As a precaution, always wash your hands thoroughly after handling any amphibian, including mantella frogs.
To avoid irritation from a mantella frog’s toxic secretions:
• Handle mantella frogs as little as possible. Only handle when necessary for enclosure maintenance or medical care.
• Wear disposable gloves, especially if you have any cuts or scratches on your hands. Latex or nitrile gloves can help prevent skin irritation from secretions.
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after handling or being exposed to a mantella frog’s secretions. Rinse any areas where the secretions may have contacted your skin.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes or mouth before washing up. The irritating secretions can cause temporary discomfort if transferred to mucous membranes.
• Seek medical care immediately if a large amount of secretions contact sensitive areas like the eyes. While not lethal, the secretions may require flushing and further treatment.
By taking appropriate precautions, the toxic secretions of mantella frogs should not pose a serious risk to keepers and handlers. Proper handling techniques and hygiene can help ensure these colorful and charismatic amphibians remain non-poisonous companions.
Dart Frogs & Mantellas