DENDROBATES TINCTORIUS

Dendrobates tinctorius is one of the larger species of poison dart frogs, reaching lengths of up to 4 to 5 centimeters at adulthood.  They originate from the South American countries of Surinam, Guyana, French Guiana and parts of Brazil, living in the lowland primary rainforests.   The species displays many different color patterns, called "morphs". The individuals that I have are most likely of the "cobalt" morph.  A good guide to many of the morphs is The Dendrobates Tinctorius Color Morph Guide by Christian Som.

My tincts are very gregarious and range from the lowlying leafy cover to the topmost branches in the vivarium.  One is decidedly larger than the other even though they are from the same "litter".  I hope that means I have a male and a female (males of this species are noticably smaller than the females.)  They are aggressive hunters and will traverse the entire vivarium in search of prey.  Quite often they will appear to be looking out of the vivarium at the people in the room, occasionally bobbing their heads.  I don't know if they are actually looking at us or their own reflections.  If they see us, then the head bobs must mean "What's up?  Where's the food?"  If they're seeing their own reflections, then they probably think the reflections are other frogs and they're probably saying "Back off stranger!"    Either way it is fun to watch them do it.