Pleasing Poison Frog (Ameerega bassleri)

Pleasing Poison Frog Ameerega bassleri
Name	Pleasing Poison Frog
Name Lat.	Ameerega bassleri
Synonym	Epipedobates bassleri
Family	Dendrobatids
Family lat.	Dendrobatidae
Order	Frogs & Toads
Order lat.	Anura
Origin	Peru
Habitat	Rainforest
Diet	Small live insects
Humidity	70-100 %
Behavior	Territorial
Keeping	Pair, group
Care Level	Moderate
Breeding	Moderately difficult
Housing	Rainforest terrarium
Life Span	5-10 years
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	4-5 cm
Temperature	20-24 °C
Housing Size	40 x 30 x 35 cm
US Units
Size	1.6"-2"
Temperature	68-75 °F
Housing Size	15" x 10" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The diurnal, ground-dwelling Bassler's treecreepers are found in the mountain rainforests of Peru's Cordillera Oriental at elevations from 500 to 1,200 meters. There they live mostly near streams and small water bodies in the vegetation covering the ground. Their markings and coloration vary according to their origin.

Maintenance

For 1-2 animals, the minimum terrarium area is 1,200 cm², with a minimum height of 35 cm. This corresponds to a terrarium with a base area of e.g. 40 x 30 cm. An additional 200 cm² of space should be provided for each additional animal. The terrarium should be placed in a quiet place without sunlight

You need a terrarium with a substrate of loose, absorbent, non-rotting substrate such as sand-peat mixture, coconut fibers or sphagnum moss with a drainage and a shallow, 3-5 cm deep watering place, in addition branched climbing branches, preferably entwined with climbing plants, with horizontal perches, back and side wall coverings of e.g.Tree fern panels (Xaxim) and dense planting (e.g. Tradescantia, Ficus, Scindapsus, ferns, bromeliads). Potted plants that can be easily removed for cleaning are advantageous. At least twice a day the inside of the terrarium must be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better.

Temp. day: 20-24 °C

Temp. night: 18-20 °C

Humidity: 70-100

The lighting duration must be 10-14 hours depending on the season. Daylight fluorescent tubes with low UV content are very suitable.

Diet

The food supply consists of live, small insects such as ants, spiders, micro crickets, tiny grasshoppers and crickets, springtails, enchytraea and drosophila. Food should be offered to adults 2-3 times per week, young animals must be fed daily. It is important to add minerals and vitamins regularly (e.g. by dusting the feed animals). The quality of the feed animals can be upgraded by giving overripe fruit and honey water

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The females are somewhat more plump than the males. The spawn, 40-45 eggs, is usually laid hidden in fallen leaves where it is fertilized by the male. The parents engage in brood care, carrying each larva (tadpole) on their backs to a shallow stream or a stagnant pond (bromeliad funnel). After about 2 months the transformation (metamorphosis) is completed and the frog leaves the water. The breeding of the tadpoles in small plastic boxes filled with water has proven to be successful. They are fed with algae growth, dry fish food and dried mosquito larvae

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the responsible authority immediately after the beginning of the keeping. It is essential to find out about any bans on keeping or permits for keeping dangerous animals in your state or municipality (e.g. public order office).

Protection of species: WA Annex II; EU Annex B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

Only in the wild they have a skin toxin, which is absorbed through food from poisonous insects and converted into the body's own toxin. Therefore they lose their skin poison after some time in terrarium keeping. Afterbreds are non-poisonous.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Special attention must be paid to thorough hygiene and impurities must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak 

Source: ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; VDA & DGHT (2006): Haltungsrichtlinien für die Haltung von Anuren

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF