Blessed poison frog (Ranitomeya benedicta)

Short answers

Blessed poison frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×40×50 cm.

Blessed poison frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 19–22 °C.

Blessed poison frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2 %).

Blessed poison frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Blessed poison frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C

Night temperature

19–22 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

80–95 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×40×50 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, leaf litter, moss, bromeliads and film canisters as laying sites

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails

Feeding interval

daily

Key facts

Adult size

1,6–1,9 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

North-eastern Peru – the Pampas del Sacramento

Protection status

CITES II; IUCN "Endangered"

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping a pair is least stressful, since Ranitomeya males defend territories against rivals. Rear juveniles separately from adults: not because they would be eaten - they are too small for that - but because larger animals reach the food first. Provide plenty of retreats throughout the whole height of the enclosure.

Notes

A brilliant red head on a blue-black netted body. A small climbing species – height and bromeliads matter more than floor area. Keep it strictly in pairs, or aggression follows.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Poison frogs (Ranitomeya amazonica) – Intermediate
• Poison frogs (Ranitomeya imitator) – Beginner to intermediate
• Poison frogs (Ranitomeya variabilis) – Intermediate
• Red-headed poison frog (Ranitomeya fantastica) – Intermediate
• Yellow-striped poison frog (Ranitomeya flavovittata) – Intermediate
• Reticulated poison frog (Ranitomeya reticulata) – Intermediate
• Sira poison frog (Ranitomeya sirensis) – Intermediate
• Summers' poison frog (Ranitomeya summersi) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Blessed poison frog (Ranitomeya benedicta) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×40×50 cm), substrate (Coco humus, leaf litter, moss, bromeliads and film canisters as laying sites), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.