Red-headed poison frog (Ranitomeya uakarii)

Short answers

Red-headed poison frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×40×50 cm for a pair, planted.

Red-headed poison frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, basking spot No basking spot — direct heat is harmful, at night 18–21 °C.

Red-headed poison frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Weak UVB recommended (UVB 2.0), no strong lamp.

Red-headed poison frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–15 years.

Red-headed 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

18–21 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot — direct heat is harmful

Humidity

80–95 %, mist daily

UVB

Weak UVB recommended (UVB 2.0), no strong lamp

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×40×50 cm for a pair, planted

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter, bromeliads and film canisters as spawning sites

Feeding

Food

Springtails, fruit flies and aphids, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

1,6–2,0 cm

Life expectancy

8–15 years

Origin

Peru and Brazil

Protection status

CITES II — proof of origin required

Brumation

No winter rest, at most a short dry spell to trigger breeding

Cohabitation

Keeping a pair is least stressful, as calling males compete over elevated perches. Given the high clutch frequency, make sure the female gets sufficient calcium.

Notes

A red back with blue legs; a bromeliad dweller.

Do you keep this species?

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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
• Blessed poison frog (Ranitomeya benedicta) – Intermediate
• Sira poison frog (Ranitomeya sirensis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Red-headed poison frog (Ranitomeya uakarii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×40×50 cm for a pair, planted), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter, bromeliads and film canisters as spawning 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.