Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted these before, but I think they got lost in the mix of posts. One of them is calling, but I am not able to tell which one yet.

This is the thinner one:

This is the fatter one:

-----
Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

I may be wrong man, but first i want to ask if you have a pair? Because i think you do. If the sexing is about the same for imitators as it is for most dendrobates--(i don't know much about thumbnails), but it looks like the one on the bottom is a female, cuz her belly is huge! So, if you have one calling, i'm guessin that the one on the top is the one calling. Just my 2 cents, and i could be wrong, but at least someone replied u know?

Kasey Lawrence

Thanks a bunch, when I got they were expected to both be males, but the one plumped up right away after being in their new home. So far they are still a bit skittish, so when the one is calling it is hard to see which one it is. I am hoping to move that tank to the living room so they will get used to people more.

Thanks for the reply,
-----
Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

What would help me to help sex them is if you could take a close up of both of them sitting flat. Sometimes fat frogs stomachs sag a bit on the glass. It's hard to do via photos, but I could help if you can show me other photos.
Best,
Justin

There are some more pictures on my site below, I will try to get some better ones when they are out more.
-----
Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

If they are hanging out close together, they are probably a pair. I'd agree that the one on the bottom would be the female. Look around carefully for eggs. You should be getting some soon.
-----
Patty
Lost River, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos

They do hang around each other, and normally sleep within a few inches of each other.
-----
Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

>>If they are hanging out close together, they are probably a pair

This is not necessarily true at all. Of the quinquevittatus group, only D. vanzolinii and possibly D. fantasticus have been demonstrated to show any pair bonding. Even the strongest (D. vanzolinii) males occasionally "cheated" on their mate. I would not count them hanging out with the other one to signify a pair. Calling is the best bet followed by egg laying, and then body shape. Keep in mind that just because it doesn't call doesn't mean right away (with young frogs) it is female.
Best,
Justin

Understand, I'm sure I will know in time. I am still on a list for 4 more so we will see. I'm hoping they get a little less skittish, so they are out more. They are amazing looking frogs.
-----
Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Sorry Justin--you are right, of course. I wasn't too clear, as usual. I didn't mean pair-bonding. They are not "loyal" or anything like that. I was referring to the female responding to the male by staying close to him. Mine did a lot of what looked almost like cuddling for some time before the first eggs were finally laid. I originally had two males and two females. Both females responded to the same male and he eventually fertilized eggs from both of them. He and the dominant female slept together in the same bromeliad leaf for sometime before actual breeding occurred. The other male kept as much distance as possible between himself and the dominant male. When I lost the dominant male, the same pre-togetherness occurred with the remaining male before breeding took place, and the juvenile male that had been raised in the same tank was then odd man out. I never however, saw the males sharing the same space like this, even as froglets. I had identified them as individuals long before I was able to sex them. What turned out to be the dominant pair shared the same space, especially at night when they bedded down, even as juveniles before the males began to call. I realize that observing just four or five frogs doesn't prove a rule, and how two males without a female would act, I don't know.

It's great to have you here on the forum. I'm assuming you're back from your pre-grad studies in Costa Rica and have a lot to share.
-----
Patty
Lost River, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos

Mine sleep very close together most of the time, and stay within a few inches of each other most of the time. Unless hunting. All I can do is hope for a pair. I'm happy with them no matter what.
-----
Kyle
www.kylesphotos.com
1.2.0 D. leucomelas
0.0.2 D. azureus
1.0.1 D. imitators

Hi,
Yes, I am back from the first trek. Thanks for the welcome. I do find behavior very interesting with them, and have kept a good number of D. imitator. I never did really notice a heirarchy, so that is an interesting note.
Best,
Justin