Golden Poison Frog

Looks how to spot one

Skin

The skin is smooth and moist, typical of amphibians. Juveniles are black with two golden-yellow stripes along the back; as they mature the black fades and the frog becomes a uniform bright colour. Adults have a bony tooth-like plate in the upper jaw, a unique feature among poison dart frogs.62

Personality what they are like

Golden poison frogs are naturally bold and unafraid of people, making them easy to watch. They are diurnal and active in the morning and evening, with a short rest at midday. Both sexes can be aggressive towards each other, wrestling over mates or territory, so groups need plenty of space and hiding spots.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low to moderate. They are mostly terrestrial and do not climb much, so a wide floor area is more important than height. They need a well-planted rainforest terrarium with plenty of leaf litter, roots, and hiding places. A day temperature gradient of 22-32°C and high humidity (80-90%) with daily misting are essential.12

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Minimal grooming is needed. The main care tasks are maintaining high humidity with a sprinkler or atomiser, providing a clean water source for tadpoles if breeding, and dusting food with vitamin and mineral supplements. A winter rest period with slightly cooler and drier conditions is recommended.1

Home where they are happiest

A rainforest terrarium at least 50 x 50 x 50 cm for a small group, but larger is better. The tank should be densely planted with structural elements like roots, and provide egg-laying sites such as film canisters or halved coconut shells. Temperature gradient 22-32°C, humidity 80-90%, with several daily mistings. A shallow water area is not needed but a clean water source for tadpoles is required if breeding. Note: wild-caught frogs are highly toxic due to their diet; captive-bred frogs raised on non-toxic prey are not poisonous. The species is endangered and protected under CITES Appendix II, so legal purchase from reputable breeders is essential.14

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Adults eat larger insects: fruit flies (Drosophila hydei), medium crickets, waxworms, bean weevils, cockroaches, and firebrats. Food should be dusted with amphibian vitamin and mineral supplements at least twice a week. Adults are fed about twice a week; juveniles daily. Tadpoles eat algae, fish flake, and small pellets.153

Company who they like around

Can be kept in pairs or groups of 5-10 animals. They are not truly social but tolerate each other if the terrarium is large enough and has many hiding spots. Both sexes can be aggressive, so ample space and visual barriers are important. Wild-caught frogs are among the most poisonous animals on Earth and should never be handled; captive-bred frogs are non-toxic but still delicate. The species is endangered and protected by CITES Appendix II; only legally bred animals should be kept.14

The story where it all began

The golden poison frog was first scientifically described in 1978 by Myers, Daly and Malkin from the Quebrada Guanguí area in Colombia. Its extreme toxicity in the wild made it famous, but by the mid-1990s European hobbyists had learned to breed it in captivity, where a non-toxic diet renders the frogs harmless. It has since become a popular species in the dart frog hobby, prized for its bold colours and diurnal habits.17

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Endangered1

CITES

Appendix II1