Little devil poison frog (Oophaga sylvatica)

Short answers

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

50×40×60 cm.

Little devil poison frog: What temperature does it need?

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

Little devil poison frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2 %).

Little devil poison frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Little devil poison frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C

Night temperature

19–22 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

85–100 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×40×60 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, a thick layer of leaf litter, moss, plenty of bromeliads

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails, aphids

Feeding interval

daily

Key facts

Adult size

3–4 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Western Colombia, north-western Ecuador

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping in pairs or as a small group (1.2) is possible. Raise juveniles separately from adults: tadpoles from several clutches are cannibalistic towards each other, so each larva must grow up individually in its own bromeliad leaf-axil. Genuine territoriality is documented in adult males - they engage in advances, retreats and wrestling matches when rivals appear, so enough small calling territories and retreat spots are needed.

Notes

The largest Oophaga species in captivity, in strong red to orange. Like all Oophaga it depends on bromeliads for rearing. Keep local forms strictly separate.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio) – Intermediate
• Granular poison frog (Oophaga granulifera) – Intermediate
• Harlequin poison frog (Oophaga histrionica) – Expert
• Lehmann's poison frog (Oophaga lehmanni) – Expert
• Yellow-bellied poison frog (Ameerega hahneli) – Intermediate
• Anthony's poison frog (Hyloxalus nexipus) – Intermediate
• Bassler's poison frog (Ameerega bassleri) – Intermediate
• Poison frogs (Ranitomeya amazonica) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Little devil poison frog (Oophaga sylvatica) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×40×60 cm), substrate (Coco humus, a thick layer of leaf litter, moss, plenty of bromeliads), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.