Orange splashback dart frog, Adelphobates galactonotus 'orange'

Do Orange splashback dart frogs make good pets?

Orange splashback dart frogs are a vibrant species endemic to the Southern Amazon basin in Brazil, where they inhabit the humid, tropical lowland forests. They are a very active species and are diurnal in nature, making them great pets to keep as they are almost always out and on show. Splashback dart frogs are also one of the hardier examples, making them suitable for beginner Dart frog keepers too.

At Swell Reptiles, all of our Orange splashback dart frogs were captive bred in the UK, leaving you safe in the knowledge that your new frog came from a reliable source, with minimal negative impacts on their native ecosystems.

Which enclosure should I choose for my Orange splashback dart frog?

To house a pair or trio of Orange splashback dart frogs, we recommend a minimum enclosure size of 60 x 45 x 45cm (24 x 18 x 18”), for example, the Exo Terra Glass Terrarium 60x45x45cm. Due to their higher humidity requirements, glass or PVC enclosures work better than wood, as the wood is likely to warp and become water damaged over time. To make things even easier, why not take a look at our range of Frog Starter Kits which are tailored to Dart frog keeping.

Do Orange splashback dart frogs need to be heated?

Orange splashback dart frogs are not very tolerant of high temperatures, preferring a warm area of around 26°C (78°F) and a cool end sitting closer to 20°C (68°F). In most homes, this can be achieved without much extra help, but you may need to provide a little supplementary heating in the form of a heat mat and on/off thermostat stuck up the side or back of the terrarium.

Do Orange splashback dart frogs need UVB?

Although they tend to inhabit more covered, forest floors, Orange splashback dart frogs would still be regularly exposed to sunlight in nature, and can benefit significantly from a low-level UVB in their enclosure, giving them a UVI between 1-2. This is usually achieved using an Arcadia ShadeDweller ProT5 Kit placed 25-40cm (10-15”) above the basking area, or an Arcadia ProT5 Kit - Forest 6% placed 40-45cm (15-18”) above the basking area.

How can I maintain the humidity for my Orange splashback dart frog?

A good, moisture-retaining substrate such as coco soil or Arcadia EarthMix is a good start when considering your humidity levels. If you choose to add live plants, a drainage layer of Hydro Rocks and Hydro Matting is a necessity to prevent root rot, but is also worth considering for non-bioactive enclosures as it will act as a water reservoir to wick back up into the substrate if it behind to dry out.

Once you have your substrate and drainage in situ, you will still need to regularly add moisture into the enclosure, either by manually spraying with a handheld spray bottle, or using an automated fogger or rain system, particularly useful when you are out of the house and away from your frogs.

Unlike most frogs, Orange splashback dart frogs are not very strong swimmers as they do not possess webbed feet. Due to this, their water dish should not be large enough to submerge the frog, but it is still an important piece of decor that must be included in their set-up. All water provided to an Orange splashback dart frog must be treated with a dechlorinator to remove harmful chlorine and chloramines, alternatively, if you can offer RO water, this is even better.

How do I decorate an Orange splashback dart frog terrarium?

Keeping Orange splashback dart frogs gives you the opportunity to create a truly spectacular live planted set-up, as their husbandry requirements create the perfect environment for many terrarium variety plants that are unlikely to do well as houseplants. Live plants are not a necessity, however, and using artificial plants can still create a stunning display enclosure.

Aside from foliage, your Orange splashback dart frog enclosure should incorporate covered areas from either hiding caves or pieces of natural decor such as logs and cork bark pieces. Other items such as rocks, natural reptile decor can also be added to enhance the overall look of the set-up and provide enrichment.

What do Orange splashback dart frogs eat?

Orange splashback dart frogs are insectivores and will feed primarily on live fruit flies and live springtails, although older individuals can also usually take a small live cricket which is good for adding a little variety to their diet. All livefood offered to your frog must be supplemented according to a schedule to ensure all of the required nutrients are provided in the correct quantities.

Here, we recommend using a calcium-rich multivitamin on every feed, such as Arcadia EarthPro-A, a calcium plus magnesium supplement on every fourth feed, such as Arcadia CalciumPro Mg and finally, a vitamin D3 supplement on every eighth feed such as Arcadia EarthPro RevitaliseD3 and finally, a vitamin a reptile supplement on every 12th feed, which is particularly important for most amphibians.

Can I handle my Orange splashback dart frog?

Handling of Orange splashback dart frogs should be avoided wherever possible. Amphibians are characterised by a semi-permeable skin membrane over which they absorb water and other substances. As human skin often has salts, oils and other substances present, it is not difficult to imagine that this can cause irritation to the sensitive skin of amphibians.

If handling cannot be avoided, for example when rehoming, this should be done using clean, damp hands or even gloves, and should be done as quickly as possible to minimise stress and irritation.

How do I buy an Orange splashback dart frog?

If you would like to purchase one of our UK captive bred Orange splashback dart frogs, please come into our store and see us, bringing with you some photos of your complete set-up, which should already be ready for the frog(s) to go into.

We will ask a few short questions and also to see your set-up images to ensure you are ready for the commitment of these beautiful frogs. We reserve the right to refuse adoption to anyone we feel is unprepared to adopt.