Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting ready to set up my first viv. I'm not sure on the substrate, though. I've read that, generally, leaf litter is the substrate that dart frogs encounter in the wild. However, I dont know alot about its use in captivity. Does anyone have any info on this? What type of leaves to use, pros/cons, maintenance, etc? Thanks alot.

use either LECA or a false bottom for drainage, then bed a beast or similar product, next you can put the leaf litter on top of that. You can use maple,oak,magnolia. They are the most popular and break down the slowest

thanks for the reply. Have you used it yourself? I'm curious as to what people who have tried it think about it. Do you need to remove it when it breaks down or can you just add more? Any more info is appreciated. oh, and what exactly in LECA and where can I get it? I know others have asked this, but could you please tell me again? Thanks very much.

i personally have not used leaf litter. When you notice the leaves beginning to go bad then take them out and replace. LECA are the clay balls that absorb water and are used for drainage, check blackjungle.com...LECA is also sold under hydroton balls or something like that

LECA is Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate. You can find it at any hydroponics store or most larger garden shops. I use leaf litter and my frogs seem to be more bold with the leaves vs just moss. I rinse the leaves well with warm water and scatter them around the bottom of the tank. If the start to break down, just add more.

Thanks for the reply. Any problems with introducing unwanted bugs/diseases, etc, into the viv from outside leaves? Also, do the leaves make any difference as far as which plants you can have? Thanks

The only concern I have with leaves is if they are collected from areas that have been exposed to pesticides. Any bugs that might ride along are free food.

In my experience, dried oak leaves and magnolia leaves don't break down rapidly. Neither grows here, so I have to import them from friends. They do indeed seem to increase the boldness of usually shy frogs like the blue auratus, which can dive under a nearby leaf when they feel threatened. Do avoid pineneedles, as these may still contain some turpentines that may be a bit toxic, as well as litter from cedar.

I also agree that the only problem with leaf litter would be with pesticides. You may get some bugs that you don't particularly like, such as centipedes, but these won't hurt your frogs, and they do a good job of recycling. The other possible problem might be with slugs, but if you dry it out well before adding them, this reduces the chance of introducing slugs.
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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
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus

do you mean using leaf litter as a substrate or floor covering? for substrate i've always use good peat moss, light tan in color. all types of plants will grow and root in peat moss. a quick overview of my setups is 2"-3s" of lava rock (any hydroponic store has, very light weight), nylon mesquito netting then varying depth of peat moss on top to contour the ground. the netting keeps the peat moss form mixing in with the lava rock thats used for the resevoir. i put in a small 3/8" to 1/2" plastic tube in a corner for siphoning water out when the level gets too high. i don't add in any fertilizer or chemicals to the peat moss as the frog's waste is used. voila!

Leaf litter is just a very shallow top dressing that seems to make some shy frogs more comfortable. It isn't essential. Oak leaf litter contains tannins that are a part of some of the rainforest frogs' normal environment. It also seems to discourage molds, whether pathogenic or not.
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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
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus