Poison frogs (Ranitomeya variabilis)

Short answers

Poison frogs: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40 × 40 × 50–60 cm (vertical) for a pair.

Poison frogs: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–25 °C (highland forms cooler), at night below 20 °C possible (drop).

Poison frogs: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Optional.

Poison frogs: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Poison frogs: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–25 °C (highland forms cooler)

Night temperature

below 20 °C possible (drop)

Basking spot

—

Humidity

~80 % by day, ~100 % at night

UVB

Optional

Enclosure

Minimum size

40 × 40 × 50–60 cm (vertical) for a pair

Substrate

Rainforest with bromeliads, leaf litter, moss

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails, isopods, micro crickets

Feeding interval

Daily to several times a week, dusted

Key facts

Adult size

~1,7–2 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Peru and Ecuador, lowland to montane rainforest

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B, registration required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Pair or group. Ranitomeya variabilis is notably peaceful among poison frogs: the animals hardly ever attack each other, which is why group housing works well in a large, densely planted enclosure. What matters is enough bromeliads and film canisters as territorial focal points.

Notes

Temperatures above 27–28 °C are critical to lethal; a night drop matters. Captive-bred animals are non-toxic, and bromeliads serve as spawning sites.

Do you keep this species?

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Poison frogs (Ranitomeya variabilis) currently offered

• Ranitomeya variabilis french guiana – french guiana · Dresden · 55 €

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Related species

• Poison frogs (Ranitomeya amazonica) – Intermediate
• Poison frogs (Ranitomeya imitator) – Beginner to intermediate
• Red-headed poison frog (Ranitomeya fantastica) – Intermediate
• Yellow-striped poison frog (Ranitomeya flavovittata) – Intermediate
• Reticulated poison frog (Ranitomeya reticulata) – Intermediate
• Blessed poison frog (Ranitomeya benedicta) – 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 Poison frogs (Ranitomeya variabilis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40 × 40 × 50–60 cm (vertical) for a pair), substrate (Rainforest with bromeliads, leaf litter, moss), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.