Defining Characteristics: Great beginner frog | Bright green and black coloration | Moderately bold | Very easy to breed | Quiet call | Large | Can be kept in groups

Name: Dendrobates auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black'. Commonly called the Green and Black Poison Dart Frog, the Mint dart frog (not to be confused with the mint form of Phyllobates terribilis), or the Costa Rican Poison Frog. The species is commonly referred to as 'CR or Costa Rican Auratus' in the United States frog hobby. Simply calling the species 'auratus' is fairly common, as well.

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 10 gallon aquarium is suitable for a single Dendrobates auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black', but Josh's Frogs recommends a 20H or 18x18x18 Vivarium for 1-3 frogs. Auratus will not climb as much as other varieties of dart frogs, and prefer a horizontally oriented tank. Costa Rican auratus seem to appreicate a water feature, such as a small pond. Not sure how to set up a vivarium? Please watch our video on How to Set Up a Vivarium.

Temperature: Dendrobates auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black' can tolerate a temperature range of 65 F to 85 F, but prefer temperatures in the low to mid 70s. Temperatures over 85F are dangerous.

Humidity: Like most poison dart frogs, auratus prefer a humidity range of 70 – 100%, but can tolerate humidity down to 50% for short periods of time if the frogs have access to water. Low humidity levels, especially without access to water, can quickly be fatal to Dendrobates auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black'. Auratus in particular seem to enjoy a wetter environment and higher ambient humidity levels vs other species of poison dart frogs, and will be more active in a more humid environment, especially when provided with a water feature. In the wild, auratus are commonly found in association with streams.

Size: Adult female Costa Rican Auratus are larger, measuring in at approximately 1.5 inches. Male Costa Rican Green and Black auratus are a bit smaller, averaging about 1.25 inches at maturity. All of the Dendrobates auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black' froglets Josh's Frogs sells are well started juveniles, and measure approximately .75-1” long.

Age: Dendrobates auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black' is capable of living well over 20 years in captivity under ideal conditions, although a lifespan of 10 years is more common. I had a friend who had a pair of auratus still breeding after keeping them for 27 years, and they were wild caught adults when he received them in the early 1990s! In the wild, it is thought that galacs may live 4-6 years. All Green and Black Auratus for sale at Josh's Frogs are well started juveniles, and are 2-3 months old.

Feeding: Like most poison dart frogs, Costa Rican auratus poison dart frogs prefer smaller foods. All of the Green and Black auratus dart frogs Josh's Frogs sells will readily eat Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. Adult Dendrobates auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black' will readily consume Drosophila hydei fruit flies and pinhead crickets. All ages of poison dart frogs will enjoy springtails and isopods. All feeder insects should be dusted with a vitamin/mineral supplement. For more information on what poison dart frogs can eat, please visit our How-To Guide on Feeding Poison Dart Frogs.

Color/Pattern: A typically green and black poison dart frog, Dendrobates auratus 'Costa Rican Green and Black' is not very variable. Varying amounts of black constrasts nicely will a bright, forest green. As Costa Rican auratus age, their colors often change a bit as well. The intensity of the green can vary a bit, from a yellowish green to a forest green. The green/black pattern typically resembles camo, but occasionally a spot or stripe can make itself apparent. On rare occasions, reticulated individuals pop up. Josh's Frogs does not recommend, support, or endorse line breeding as we believe this leads to weaker captive animals and nature has done a wonderful job of creating an amazing variation in color and pattern of poison dart frogs already.