Green And Black Poison Dart Frog

Dendrobates auratus

Dendrobates auratus, the green and black poison dart frog, is a small dendrobatid native from Central America into northwestern South America, with introduced populations in Hawaii. Wild and captive lines show strong variation: some are emerald and black, while others are bronze, blue-green, or nearly reticulated depending on locality. Like other poison frogs, its skin toxins come largely from wild arthropod prey; captive-bred frogs raised on fruit flies and similar feeder insects are not dangerous in the same way, though they should still be handled only when necessary.

In the hobby and in zoo education collections, this species is kept in planted, humid vivaria rather than aquariums filled with water. Well-designed setups provide leaf litter, climbing surfaces, hiding spots, drainage, and steady access to tiny dusted insects. Pairs or small groups may breed readily, laying eggs on smooth leaves or in shelters; keepers usually move tadpoles to clean rearing cups or manage them in a planted system. Responsible buyers choose captive-bred frogs from known lines, since mixing localities can blur the identities that breeders use to preserve color forms.