Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a biology teacher and I would like to set up a dart tank in my classroom next year. I have a 40 gallon hexagonal which would be really cool to use, but difficult to transport to and from school when need be. Could I set up a pair of Dendrobates auratus in a ten gallon? A ten gallon would be very easy to transport and would still provide the students with an interesting ecosystem display, but would the frogs do okay?
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6.14 Normal ball pythons
1.0 Pastel ball python
5 normal x pastel eggs incubating!
1.0 Plains Garter
0.1 Rosy boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan Sand Boa
1.1 Anery Kenyan Sand Boa
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
1.2 Dumeril's Boa
-----My list is too long, so I'll stop here!
*Amy*

Hello:

Thank you for all you do educate our youth-especially about these wonderful frogs! The 10 Gal would do fine! You could also order a front opening Acrylic tank that would lighten the load and there are vendors who make them FF proof and specially designed for Darts. Also, as long as the temp stays right in the classroom, you could put the lights and water spray system on timer then you wouldn't have to take it home over the weekend-just over the summer. You can use hydroponic clay to lighten the drainage layer too, or there is a new product I just saw on the market using foam as a divider between the water layer and the soil if you should choose to do a water feature. The foam is also got pockets to do planting along the wall.

Hope that is some help to start with.

Regards,

Maggie

I agree with Maggie. You would not have to take them home over the weekends, only during prolonged school breaks. Adult auratus should do perfectly well for a couple of days a week without feeding, as long as the temperatures and humdity are stable. If the school keeps temperatures above 65 degrees over week-ends, that should also be fine. Even if it drops somewhat below that at night (down to 55 or so,) auratus are one of the Dendrobaties speci that tolerates somewhat lower night temperatures than ordinarily recommended. If you have a really tight fitting glass lid and live plants, you may not even need automated misting for a couple of days a week.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
7 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
6 P. terribilis mint and organe
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus
2 P. lugubris

WOW! Thanks for your help! I decided I will be converting a 12 gallon nano cube for school with a pair of auratus.

We are currently setting up a 45 gallon hexagon for some leucs at my house too. My boyfriend wants different species, but I told him I won't let him mix them in the same tank! School doesn't start until the end of August, so I can spend a lot of time designing the auratus tank once the leucs tank is finished.

I am a firm beliver that kids need to be exposed to animals other than dogs and cats! I have had many students start the year petrified of snakes, and end the year holding and enjoying handling them. The kids would really enjoy a frog tank, and the students I work with are among the most respectful I have had the chance to teach, so I can really trust them.
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---------
6.14 Normal ball pythons
1.0 Pastel ball python
5 normal x pastel eggs incubating!
1.0 Plains Garter
0.1 Rosy boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan Sand Boa
1.1 Anery Kenyan Sand Boa
0.1 Leucistic Texas Rat
1.2 Dumeril's Boa
-----My list is too long, so I'll stop here!
*Amy*