Summers' poison frog (Ranitomeya summersi)

Short answers

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

40×40×50 cm.

Summers' poison frog: What temperature does it need?

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

Summers' poison frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2 %).

Summers' poison frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Summers' 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, bromeliads and bamboo tubes

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails

Feeding interval

daily

Key facts

Adult size

1,6–2 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Northern Peru – the Huallaga valley

Protection status

CITES II; IUCN "Endangered"

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keeping a pair is least stressful, as several males would compete over calling sites. Only acquire captive-bred animals, since the species is endangered and wild-caught animals put pressure on the remaining population.

Notes

Banded orange and black; it looks like a small edition of D. leucomelas. It uses bamboo internodes to rear its larvae – offer tubes to match.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Summers' poison frog (Ranitomeya summersi) in the marketplace →

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 Summers' poison frog (Ranitomeya summersi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×40×50 cm), substrate (Coco humus, leaf litter, bromeliads and bamboo tubes), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.