The Complete Oophaga pumilio Biology, Ecology, Captive Husbandry

About this book

This first monograph dealing with the strawberry poison frog covers a huge variety of aspects . Beginning with a description of the natural habitat and the distribution of Oophaga pumilio several issues are discussed: Why do some morphs of this species obviously show an aposematic colouration whereas others show a cryptic colouration? In the centre of The Complete Oophaga pumilio the morphs that were genetically clearly defined recently are presented in a table. This overview shows the local distribution, the range of colours and patterns and the maximum size that can be reached, respectively. This section is illustrated with approx. 200 photos made by the late Chris van der Lingen. A large chapter then offers information on captive husbandy of Oophaga pumilio. Frank Steinmann puts the focus here on compiling a large variety of materials that can be used to build a nice tropical terrarium, but he also recommends to consider the impact of using tropical plants. Feeder animals are also discussed as well as the technical settings that are required to fulfill the needs of a poison dart frog. The large variety of plants that is available for frog enthusiasts nowadays and that make a terrarium an attractive set-up for everybody supplements The Complete Oophaga pumilio.

Contents

Preface   6
Acknowledgements   8
Natural habitats and distribution range   10
Morphology and anatomy   21
Systematics   28
Phenotypical variation, or "Why is this frog so colourful?"   33
Camouflage or warn?   42
Evolution and phylogeny   46
Overview of morphs   59
What you should know before you acquire poison frogs for the terrarium    106
Husbandry of strawberry poison frogs in the terrarium   110
   Legal aspects and conservations status   111
   Where do I find my frogs?   112
   The terrarium   116
   Technology and climate in a tropical rainforest terrarium   122
      Illumination   123
      UV radiation   128
      Heating   130
      Humidity and moisture   132
   Outfitting a tropical rainforest terrarium   140
   Planting   150
   Food and feeder animals   170
      Fruitflies, Drosophila   171
      Springtails   175
      Tropical white woodlice   177
      Meadow "plankton"   178
      Aphids   179
      Crickets   180
      Feeding   182
   Want-nots in the terrarium   182
   Husbandry and habits in the terrarium   185
   Reproduction and raising juveniles   188
   Diseases and health problems   196
Pumiliotoxins – The skin toxins of the strawberry poison frog   201
Chris van der Lingen and the "Panama Pumilio Protection Project"   203
Does the strawberry poison frog have a future?   209

Adresses of laboratories   214
Glossary   215
References   218

Customer Reviews