Ranitomeya variabilis

Description

Ranitomeya variabilis (Zimmermann & Zimmermann, 1988), also known as the Zimmerman Poison Frog, measure about 18 mm for males and 20 mm for females. There is a wide range of colour variants across different populations. For an overview of Ranitomeya variabilis variants, visit Dendrowiki.org.

Habitat

Their habitats are rainforests that are sometimes flooded with water. They live in water-holding plants, primarily bromeliads, both on the forest floor and in the trees. There are both lowland and highland variants of Ranitomeya variabilis. Check the origin of your frogs to determine if you have a lowland or highland variant, as this will help you set the correct vivarium temperatures. For an idea of their natural habitat, again visit Dendrowiki.org.

IUCN status of endangered species

The IUCN status of Ranitomeya variabilis is 'Data Deficient,' meaning there is not enough data to determine if this species is at risk of extinction in the near future. However, they are threatened by agricultural development, the pet trade to some degree, and habitat fragmentation from the harvesting of wood according to AmphibiaWeb

Vivarium care and breeding

They can be housed in pairs or in small groups of 5-6 males and females in larger vivariums.

Variabilis frogs lay their eggs in bromeliads, or alternatively, in vertical film canisters filled with water and a leaf sticking out. There is no parental care for the tadpoles after dropping them in a body of water. Tadpoles need to survive on feeding on drowned insects and algea. This will only be feasible in larger vivaria with large bromeliads (Achmea or large Neoregelia). The best way to raise frogs is to take the tadpoles out of the vivarium and raise them separately. However, if you do, be aware that the tadpoles are cannibalistic and must be raised separately.

For a care sheet, visit Dendroboard.com.