Yellow-banded poison dart frog (Dendrobates leucomelas)

Yellow-banded poison dart frog (Dendrobates leucomelas)

Here’s a group of 5 eggs eggs from a poison dart frog called Dendrobates leucomelas. Like most terrestrial species of darts, the females will lay the eggs on a flat, well hidden surface on the forest floor. This female chose a small leaf that was covered by a few larger ones.

 

Leucomela eggs

 

After about a week, the tadpoles will form. Here they are almost fully developed but still encased in their eggs. You can see how each one is separated into a small sphere surrounded by the jelly mass. At this point, we moved the eggs and put them in a petri dish on top of wet sphagnum moss to provide the necessary humidity.

 

leucomela eggs in petri dish

 

If the eggs are not removed from the tank, the male will carry the developed tadpoles on his back. He will then deposit them in a small pool of water. They are left there to fend for themselves.

 

leucomela carrying tadpoles on his back
.
Facebook iconTwitterYouTubePinterestFlickrTo learn more about Fauna NYC, visit our website! Sign up for our eNewsletter for new animal arrivals, product discounts, and upcoming events.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *