Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it safe to put a small fly trap, or pitchers in a terrarium? Ive heard it isnt, but i still continue to see people who succesfully have. Just thought i'd ask first.

Thanks,
M.N

Venus Flytraps don't last in Dart Frog vivariums because they need a dormant period in winter. American Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia Sp.) also need a dormant period. Although, many Tropical Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes Sp.) do well in Dart Frog Vivariums. A couple species I reccommend are:

Nepenthes Gracilis (Small, fast grower. Safe for all darts.)
Nepenthes Ampullaria (Small, fast grower. Safe with large darts.)
Nepenthes Mirabilis (Fast grower. Safe for all darts.)
Nepentes Alata "Lowland" (Fast Grower. Safe for all darts.)

Mike
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I am the stereotypical teenager video game player couch potato carnivorous plant grower nano reef aquarium enthusiast coin collector amphibian/reptile keeper internet surfer mountain biker skimboarder sketch artist formally known as Mike. My sign is a semi-colon_;

>>Venus Flytraps don't last in Dart Frog vivariums because they need a dormant period in winter. American Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia Sp.) also need a dormant period. Although, many Tropical Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes Sp.) do well in Dart Frog Vivariums. A couple species I reccommend are:
>>
>>Nepenthes Gracilis (Small, fast grower. Safe for all darts.)
>>Nepenthes Ampullaria (Small, fast grower. Safe with large darts.)
>>Nepenthes Mirabilis (Fast grower. Safe for all darts.)
>>Nepentes Alata "Lowland" (Fast Grower. Safe for all darts.)

Note that N. alata can often be found at regular stores that sell tropical plants. I got mine at Fred Meyer for $2, and the pot actually had two seperate plants that I divided and planted in different areas of the tank. They will often not have pitchers when you buy them. Mine are doing quite well, and are just starting to produce them after about a month and a half.

I would avoid venus flytraps not only because of the reasons mentioned already, but also the fact that the frogs will trample and kill them. A venus flytrap can't tolerate repeated disturbance of its traps with no food in them.

hey,
I have seen vivariums with nepenthes ampullaria and dendrobatus in them. the frog was on the nectar lip, eating dead fruit flys. so yes, most nepenthes are probably safe

Safe to the frogs? Probably. To the plants? Probably not. Venus fly traps and North American pitcher plants (Sarracenia species) need a cool dormant period in the Winter or they burn out and die. Some tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes species) should do okay in dart frog terrariums but many species need a drop in night time temperature that frogs won't tolerate. If you stick to low altitude Nepenthes then they would probably work out in a larger terrarium. Most carnivorous plants shouldn't pose a threat to the larger species of dart frogs. I've even heard of some species laying eggs in the pitchers of some plants. Good luck,
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
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