Populations

Andy Gibbs
December 1996

While reading Hesselhaus' description of hunting for D. tinctorius in French Guiana, I was struck by his remarks about the numbers of frogs to be found on an individual tree.  Similar accounts are made in articles I have recently been reading.  It would appear that territorial demands mean very small numbers of frogs inhabit one tree.

In captivity we can, perhaps, provide an enhanced environment e.g. additional laying sites, cover and greater food supply, which may enable us to keep a greater density of frogs in each vivarium.  However, we must be aware of the stress caused by too much overcrowding.  I believe that many breeding failures can be ascribed to this.