Mimic Poison Frog

Looks how to spot one

Smooth, moist skin

This tiny frog has smooth, moist skin that displays bright warning colours. It has specialised adhesive toe pads that help it climb vertical, wet surfaces with ease.2

Personality what they are like

Mimic poison frogs are bold for their size but can be shy compared to other dart frogs. Males are territorial and will call to defend their space. They are best kept in pairs, as same-sex groups can lead to bullying and stress.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These frogs are diurnal and most active in the early morning and late afternoon. They need a well-planted vertical terrarium with plenty of climbing structures, bromeliads, and hiding spots to feel secure.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No grooming needed. The terrarium should be misted regularly to maintain high humidity. A bioactive setup with springtails and isopods helps keep the environment clean.2

Home where they are happiest

A vertical terrarium of at least 30x30x40 cm for a pair. Furnish with live Neoregelia bromeliads, horizontal vines, cork bark tubes, and a layer of leaf litter. The substrate should be kept moist but well-drained. These frogs are arboreal and need plenty of climbing space.23

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Feed daily with small live prey such as Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies and springtails. All food should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement at every feeding.34

Company who they like around

Best kept in pairs (one male, one female). Males are aggressive towards other males, and females may also fight. Groups of three or more can lead to stress and death. They are monogamous in the wild during a breeding cycle.31

The story where it all began

The mimic poison frog was discovered in the late 1980s by Rainer Schulte in Peru. It became famous among scientists as the first amphibian shown to be monogamous and to provide biparental care. Its many colour morphs, each mimicking a different local poison frog species, make it a favourite among dart frog keepers.1