Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've hear different things. Among that that they aren't poisonous but they should be handled, and considered poisonous. Hasn't there been any proper study done on this? I also recall seeing pictures with people holding their AFs in their hand.
-----
CokeOfMan

Dart frogs get their toxicity from the insects they eat in the wild, which carry it from toxic plants and roots. Captive raised frogs have a diet of mainly fruit flies, pinhead crickets, springtails, etc. So the answer is no, even wild caught frogs will eventually loose their poison in captivity.

As Jared said, they loose their toxicidy in captivity. However, along with all amphibians, they are not great handling pets.

They do not tame, are not very affectionate, and, the most important reason if you want your frog to live is that frogs absorb everything through a pad on their bellies. Your hand produces sweat along with other chemicals that are not good for the froggies. Plus, if you were gardening, and had spread cedar chips, and fertilized the plants, you would get instant dead frog. I own two Whites Tree Frogs, and though the "Goldfish Rule" also applies to them, I have to say it is hard not to hold them for a bit- there so cute, and plus, I give them weekly health checks, to check for any problems. It is hard to do with a WTF sience they are nocturnal, and the only time to see them is at night when it is too dark to see them clearly. You should be able to see them bounding around through the glass, though. I know, trying to keep hands-off is quite difficult, but they are still worth it- or at least my WTF's are. (I dont own any dart frogs, but an looking into them)

They do lose their toxins in captivity, but I never handle mine with bare hands, with the exception of one escapee emergency, for the frogs' sake, not mine. Frog skin is more like a permeable membrane than true skin. They exchange some of their oxygen/Co2 through this skin, though not all, as well as electrolytes, so are very susceptible to anything on your own skin. If you do handle them at all, wash your hands well, rinse them well and leave them somewhat damp. For moving from one habitat to another, I coax them into a small damp deli-cup, cap it, then move them.

You are perfectly safe with a captive bred dart frog. Many of the commonly kept toads are far more toxic to handle.
-----
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
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

Thanks for the replys. I'm not thinking about getting AFs, just asking.
-----
CokeOfMan