Dendrobates Imitator
Dendrobates imitator or the mimic dart frog hails from the northeastern rainforests of Peru. Populations of imitator have been found that mimic the pattern and color of other dart frogs such as D. variabilis, D. fantasticus and D. ventrimaculatus to name a few. Ironically the imitators contain their own skin toxins so one wonders at times who is imitating who since this is not simply a case of a nonpoisonous animal imitating a toxic one.
Imitators are a thumbnail species and are best placed in a vivarium that affords sufficient climbing space. Our standard imitators from Patrick Nabors are housed in a 37 gallon high and our intermedius group from Phil Tan is housed in a parallel 37 gallon. We are also fortunate enough to have obtained both 'tarapoto' and 'yurimaguensis' forms of imitator from Phil Tan at the 2006 Northwest Frog Fest.
Both the imitators and intermedius have been good breeders and have afforded us many interesting photo opportunities as you can see above. Imitators are non-obligate egg feeders and we have allowed both groups to raise tads themselves in addition to rearing outside of the viv.
Imitators are a thumbnail species and are best placed in a vivarium that affords sufficient climbing space. Our standard imitators from Patrick Nabors are housed in a 37 gallon high and our intermedius group from Phil Tan is housed in a parallel 37 gallon. We are also fortunate enough to have obtained both 'tarapoto' and 'yurimaguensis' forms of imitator from Phil Tan at the 2006 Northwest Frog Fest.
Both the imitators and intermedius have been good breeders and have afforded us many interesting photo opportunities as you can see above. Imitators are non-obligate egg feeders and we have allowed both groups to raise tads themselves in addition to rearing outside of the viv.
Last updated January 21, 2007