Since my auratus don't have a water way, I can't compare with that species, but I've seen one of my new shy adult male imitators dive in and stay under for at least five minutes. Someone told me that they have timed a totally submerged leucomelas at 15 minutes. Frogs do have some auxillary skin respiration, so they probably do get a certain amount of oxygen exchange even under water. Not enough to remain there indefinitely, but a lot longer than you or I could manage. My D. castaneoticus seem to spend a lot of time submerged in their waterway, although they are probably poking their noses out and breathing. A couple of my D. reticulatus do the same thing, as do Phyllobates vitattus. I don't think these are totally submerged, either, but I can't tell. The thought of them getting caught under water does make me nervous, too. My tendency is also to go for the rescue and correct the problem area where they are liable to submerge and get caught.
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Patty

Pahsimeroi, Idaho



4 D. auratus blue

5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back

5 D. imitator

6 D. leucomelas

4 D. pumilio Bastimentos

4 D. fantasticus

4 P. terribilis

4 D. reticulatus

4 D. castaneoticus

2 D. azureus

4 P vittatus

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