Yellow-banded poison dart frog (Dendrobates leucomelas)
Amphibians · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Yellow-banded poison dart frog (Dendrobates leucomelas) (origin: Venezuela, Guyana, northern Brazil). Adult size around 3–4 cm. Life expectancy 12–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Yellow-banded poison dart frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?
60×45×60 cm.
Yellow-banded poison dart frog: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–27 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 18–21 °C.
Yellow-banded poison dart frog: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (low, UVB 2%) — not essential.
Yellow-banded poison dart frog: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 12–20 years.
Yellow-banded poison dart frog: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–27 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–21 °C
- Basking spot
- No basking spot
- Humidity
- 80–95 %
- UVB
- Recommended (low, UVB 2%) — not essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 60×45×60 cm
- Substrate
- Drainage plus coco humus, moss, bromeliads, leaf litter
Feeding
- Food
- Fruit flies, springtails, bean weevils
- Feeding interval
- adults daily to every other day
Key facts
- Adult size
- 3–4 cm
- Life expectancy
- 12–20 years
- Origin
- Venezuela, Guyana, northern Brazil
- Protection status
- CITES II
- Brumation
- A dry spell of 4–8 weeks (to stimulate breeding)
- Cohabitation
- Pairs (1.1) are the safest option, especially if you want to breed. A group is possible, but: sexually mature females eat the clutches of other females, and males can be territorial — this requires a large, densely planted enclosure with plenty of hiding places. Raise juveniles separately from adults. Not because they would be eaten — these animals are far too small for that — but because the larger ones get to the food first and the small ones fall behind. Provide enough hides so every animal can get out of the way.
Notes
The most robust beginner's poison dart frogs, with brilliant yellow-and-black banding. Non-toxic when captive-bred (the toxin comes from wild prey). It needs a furnished rainforest terrarium with a ground fauna.
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Yellow-banded poison dart frog (Dendrobates leucomelas) currently offered
- Dendrobates leucomelas (Britisch Guyana) – Landeshauptstadt Kiel · 45 €
Related species
- Blue poison dart frog (Dendrobates azureus) – Beginner to intermediate
- Golden poison frog (Dendrobates nubeculosus) – Intermediate
- Green and black poison dart frog (Dendrobates auratus) – Beginner
- Dyeing poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) – Beginner
- Yellow-striped poison frog (Dendrobates truncatus) – Beginner
- Yellow-bellied poison frog (Ameerega hahneli) – Intermediate
- Anthony's poison frog (Hyloxalus nexipus) – Intermediate
- Bassler's poison frog (Ameerega bassleri) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Yellow-banded poison dart frog (Dendrobates leucomelas) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×60 cm), substrate (Drainage plus coco humus, moss, bromeliads, leaf litter), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 30 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: dendrobates-leucomelas.de, einrichtungsbeispiele.de, pfeilgiftfrosch.net, tropenfrosch.info
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).