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Dendrobates imitator
August 29, 1999
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Species Data Form.
Correct Name: Dendrobates imitator
What Name Means: (Dendro g= tree / bates g
= one that walks or haunts) (imita L = imitate,
copy)
Common Name: Mimic dart frog
Physical Description
Size range: 0.6 to 1.0 inches (15 to
25 mm) M. Runo
Weight range: _____ g
Average size of female: 0.8 inches
(20 mm) M. Runo
The female are normally the largest T. Kelly
Average weight of female: ____g
Average size of male: 0.9 inches (23 mm) M.
Runo
Average weight of male: ___g
How to identify sexes: Calling of the males. M. Runo
Females are normally larger and plumper than males. Also male
will have a darkened area on the throat. T. Kelly & C. Hanson
Description: Green to blue legs, with orange to yellow
head. The whole body and leg areas have black dots over them. Two
black dots on the nose. M. Runo
Other Morphs: Orange & Red M. Runo
Call: Click to hear 55
KB WAV file.
Biotype and Distribution
Distribution: Northeastern parts of Peru, in the Cordillera
Oriental. (Heselhaus)
Biotype: High trees & bromeliads
Population density: ______
Day Temperature: ______
Night Temperature :
Relative humidity during dry season: ______ %
Rainy season:
Are frogs sitting in sunlight:
When is their active time: Afternoon & early evening
What kinds of food in wild:
Vivarium
Recommended dimension: L = 30 in. (76 cm) W= 15 in (38
cm) H= 45 in (115 cm)
Day Temperature: 78 F (26 C) M. Runo 75
F (24 C) T. Kelly
Night Temperature : 76 F (24 C) M. Runo
68 F (20 C) T. Kelly
Terrarium landscaping: Bromeliads, Orchids, Tillandsias,
Ferns, Etc.
Average age in terrarium: ______years
Maximum age in terrarium: _______years
Behavior - outgoing or reclusive: Outgoing when the vivarium
is not being disturbed.
Parts of Vivarium occupied: Mid-to-upper sections.
How often misted:
Breeding
Eggs/clutch size: 1-3
Where are eggs placed: Bromeliad funnels & film canisters
M.
Runo
Almost always utilize smooth vertical surfaces such as the glass walls
or plant leaves. T. Kelly & C. Hanson
Sensitive to light:
Development time for eggs: 14 days
Development time for tadpoles: 42 M. Runo
- 60 C. Hanson days
Percent of Eggs to develop into tadpoles: ____%
Percent of tadpoles that develop into froglets: _____%
Percent of froglets that reach maturity: ______%
Age of maturity: 11 months. M. Runo
Males may start calling as young as 8 months and individuals as young
as 6 months may produce fertile eggs. T. Kelly
Food for tadpoles: In the wild, D. imitator are egg feeders.
If left to a natural process, the male will convince females to lay feeder
eggs for the tadpoles to eat. Observations have been made of multiple
females fighting to be the frog to lay the feeder eggs. T. Kelly
has theorized that the females do not know which tadpoles are theirs or
do not realize that the eggs are going to be consumed. Tadpoles have
an interesting characteristic swimming response during the feeder egg deposition.
T.
Kelly & C. Hanson Tadpoles can also be raised on Fruit flies
& blood worms M. Runo & Spirulina, Aquarian vitamin &
mineral flake T. Kelly
Tadpoles kept singly or in groups: singly
Are F1 offspring different from wild caught parents: ______________
Methods to induce breeding: High humidity and frequent
misting. M. Runo & T. Kelly
General notes about specie: Interesting specie to keep
in the fact that males care for the eggs and tadpoles. T. Kelly.
A very nice frog to keep! M. Runo
Other sites with information or photos:
Tor Limbo -
Hop On In - http://staff.washington.edu/tlinbo/2nd.html
Sources of information:
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