Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In the south american pitcher plants, would a 5" plant be too big for the frog? lol... its bigger than the frog, but i mean, would they go in it do you think?? that would really suck, so im gonna be very careful with the species i choose. Thanks again,
KS

P.S. sorry about the tripple post below.

Your 5" plant will grow very quickly. The frogs will climb in sometimes to hide or drop off young and then climb back out. Nepenthes are not capable of digesting live prey. They work mostly by bacterial break down and also some weak enzymes. Notice I did not mention any acids. Your frogs will be fine as long as they are healthy. In order to die in the pitcher it must drown, since the water level is actually quite low in a pitcher and the pitchers are easy to tilt at an angle by frog weight this isn't likely to happen. The only possible problem comes from very young frogs falling in and panicing.

However you must stay away from Nepenthes with sharp peristoms, such as Hamata and Bical. These (especially the Bical) could easily impale a frog that tries to jump out.

Joe

If you are referring to Heliamphoras, the only pitcher plants in South America, I would not recommend these in a dart frog vivarium. They require specialized care, much like highland Nepenthes. In their native habitat (the tepuis of Venezuela) they experience sometimes considerable temperature differences between day and night. They also do not come from the stereotypical South American rain forest, but from bogs and related area.

My advice is to stick with Nepenthes, Pinguiculas and Droseras are really too delicate to be constantly trampled on by hungry frogs, but some are suitable to environment. Uticularias are supposed to be a good choice, but they are hard to come by.
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David Knight
Tempe, AZ

D. imitator
D. leucomelas
P. terribilis
D. azureus
D. tinctorius (Alanis)

Actually, there are two types of Heliamphora that will grow in lowland conditions. H. Minor and H. Heterodexa 'Giant' make great Dart Frog companion plants. H. Minor is safe for any Dart Frog that I know of and can provide a great place to raise tadpoles provided the pitchers are kept filled with water. H. Heterodexa 'Giant' is only safe for the larger frogs and the best climbers. There is actually a natural symbiotic relationship between frogs and heli's. In the wild, frogs are often found sitting in the pitchers staring up at the nectar cap waiting for an insect to pass by. When an insect, attracted to the sweet nectar, lands on the cap, the frog snatches up the insect(whatever it may be, fruit fly, ect...) and later provides the plant with some natural fertilizer. Unfortunately, heli's are light hog's and will only develop a nectar cap and good coloration under very bright light. They're also very brittle plants and can be squashed by large active frogs, and did I mention they're expensive? Up to $100 for a plant less than an inch across! Anyway, if you can find either of these heli's for a decent price, give them good conditions, and get a good frog to go with them, then you got one awesome combination. Sorry for the long response.

Mike

H. Minor typically around $20-$30. The hard part is finding one in stock. I did a quick search and found a few places that indicate they have them in stock.
Also several H. Minor X Heterodexa out there.

Donn

I stand corrected, I was not aware of these species.
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David Knight
Tempe, AZ

D. imitator
D. leucomelas
P. terribilis
D. azureus
D. tinctorius (Alanis)

Dave,
Hey, why apologize. I know your a plant nut(thanks for the great epiphyte tips, I'm thrilled with the Begonia Thelmea)- why not try them out? I've already H. Minor ordered.
By the way, where did you get the Pyrrosia nummularifoliumn in your Leuc Viv?

Donn

Donn,

It came from Harry, of course. Did you see the great selection of Aechmeas, Neos and Peperomias he has listed on his site?

I fealt the need to apologize because I gave false information...it's only the right thing to do

Now, I am quite interested in the H. minor. Where did you order it from?
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David Knight
Tempe, AZ

D. imitator
D. leucomelas
P. terribilis
D. azureus
D. tinctorius (Alanis)

There are many good type of ultrics. They love the moist enviornment and they grow fast. The traps are on their root system, which eat bacteria. I have ultric longfolia and sandersonii and some livida, they grow rapidly and pretty when they flower.
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-_^