Photo by Mick Bajcar
Dendrobates truncatus
Mick Bajcar
Last
update: 17 August, 2002
Introduction
Several species of Dendrobatid frog vie for the position of the perfect
beginners' frog. In my opinion, Dendrobates truncatus is a front-runner
in this category, alongside its close relative D. auratus.
Photo by Mick Bajcar
This species became popular in the United Kingdom and subsequently the rest of Europe from 1989 onwards as a result of several illegal importations. Some animals were seized by Her Majesty's Customs and passed to zoos where they were bred. The disposal of the progeny of these wild-caught animals led to the species acquiring a pseudo-legality and CITES papers can now be obtained.
They are easy to keep and breed; perhaps too easy. After the first flush of enthusiasm for the species, prices plummeted and interest waned with it virtually disappearing from the hobby. This is a great pity as, whilst not the most spectacular of frogs, they are certainly worth maintaining. Several people, myself included, have attempted to maintain genetically diverse bloodlines, which has resulted in small numbers remaining available to the dedicated hobbyist.
Description
Dendrobates truncatus
(Cope, 1861) originates from the Rio Magdalena
drainage area of Columbia, from Chaparral north to the Caribbean coast. Also in
the lowlands around the northern ends of the Cordilleras Central and Occidental
west, to the Golfo de Uraba, where they are found near to the edges of streams.
This is mainly in moist tropical forest (Bulletin of Los Angeles County
Museum of Natural History, No. 21, p49.) It is the smallest member of
the so-called D. tinctorius group of frogs with a snout-vent length of
25-30mm. The body is a glossy granular black and there are two lateral golden
stripes, above the eyes and joining at the vent. The ventral surface has auratus-like
black and yellow marbled markings. Sexing of specimens can be difficult, but
males are indicated by their smaller size. Females tend to be more rotund.
Care
D. truncatus
is a frog that appears to be tolerant of low temperatures,
possibly breeding at 18°C, although it thrives and
breeds readily at about 22-24°C. Whilst it is a
small frog it has a large appetite, and will tackle relatively large prey.
Analysis of the stomach contents of animals in the wild has, however, revealed a
high proportion of Springtails (Collembola spp.) in their diet and they
will take these avidly in captivity (Bulletin of Los Angeles County Museum of
Natural History, No. 21, p49.) They do well on a varied diet of crickets,
fruit flies, and lesser waxworm larvae supplemented by aphids and other
sweepings when available. Foods should be dusted with a mineral and vitamin
supplement regularly.
Breeding
The first captive breeding successes were achieved by simulating their
natural environment by providing running water (M. Peaker, BDG Newsletter No.
3, 1991.) Whilst this method continues to hold good, breeding can be
achieved without it, though it is certainly easier if this is included. The male
indicates his readiness to breed by emitting a very soft buzz, similar to the
call of D. auratus. A receptive female will follow the male until a
suitable spawning site is found. In the vivarium this is generally a coconut
shell ‘igloo' on a Petri dish, and usually two to seven eggs are laid. At the
next stage, there is a divergence of opinion between keepers. Some leave the
frogs to transport their own tadpoles to the water whilst others, myself
included, remove the eggs and incubate them separately (personal
communications with Bob Worthington and John Wilkinson).
The tadpoles emerge after about a fortnight and can be raised communally, three or four to a five litre container of water. This should contain hiding places such as a clump of pondweed such as Elodea. Communally raised tadpoles are much larger than those raised singly and take approximately four months to reach metamorphosis (M. Esposito, BDG Newsletter No. 30, 1997.) Attempting to accelerate metamorphosis by maintaining tadpoles too warm, above 22°C, results in smaller froglets that do not develop to the full size of their parents. Occasionally, when I have missed eggs, I have seen males transporting the tadpoles to water and these have metamorphosed within the vivarium, presumably feeding on detritus. Some frogs appear to be better parents than are others, and it is possible that the frogs develop parenting skills.
The tadpoles are fed on a diet of flake fish food, Spirulina - or the great standby - thawed, frozen spinach from the supermarket. They will also take white worm Enchytraeus, Daphnia or bloodworm.
D. truncatus is an excellent frog to maintain, undemanding and easy to breed. If you can get them, give them a try.
