I think the doubt about P. terribilis captive toxicity came from the otherwise lovely picture book JEWELS OF THE RAINFOREST, which is a bit outdated and was rightly cautious about the information given, which stated that it was unknown whether they lost their toxins in captivity. It was unknown at the time this was written. While I wouldn't swallow one of mine to prove their safety, I would still recommend them to a beginner boy as a terrific personality frog , not the least bit shy. The froglets are eating, hunting machines. The adults get along in groups. Leucs are great, too, as are the galacs. Thumbnails like D. imitator are sometimes bold, and depending upon the male/female mix and other factors, they can put on quite a show.
But they are not the best to start out with. My own aruatus are pathologically shy, and I've had them for several years. I seldom see them without invading their cover to make sure they are still there and alive. I have the blue morph though, and understand the other auratus morphs aren't as paranoid. I even named one "Larry" after Garrison Keelor's skit about the brother Larry who had lived in the cellar for 15 years before anyone noticed he was gone. I never see Larry except when I go on a thorough search through the vivarium about once every two months just to see if he is really still there. He is. He must eat, but in two years, I've never seen him do it. He still istn't skinny or malnourished. He spends his entire life hiding under things. If one could define a mentally retarded, pathologically shy frog, Larry would be it. Mentally retarded assues the thing that is mentally retarded has a mentality to begin with. This doesn't fit Larry. He's a frog, and frogs don't exactly discuss the big bang, quarks and strings with each other. Their grammar is poor.
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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 (new froglets)
