Dart Frog Terrarium
*A Work in Progress*
This dart frog terrarium measures 6 feet long by 2 feet wide and tall. After moving to a frozen place without accessible outdoor space, I wanted to bring more nature into my home. Dart frogs not only provide vibrant color but also fill the room with the sounds of the rainforest. The ecosystem is still establishing, and it will take time to fully grow in.
This enclosure contains over 140 species of tropical plants, including mosses, vines, ferns, and epiphytes. The cleanup crew includes seven species of invertebrates, all working to break down waste, aerate the soil, and sustain the ecosystem. It’s constantly changing, with plants spreading, mosses shifting color, and tiny lifeforms reshaping the forest floor.
This terrarium is home to several species of dart frogs, each with its own habits and personality. They spend their days hopping through the foliage, calling to each other, and hunting flies. Their rhythmic chirps fill the room with life—rainforest soundscapes that shift throughout the day. Pictured is the eldest inhabitant, Toby, an Epipedobates anthonyi "Santa Isabel", named after the friend who helps care for them when I’m away.
I’ve always been captivated by albino animals—their unusual coloration make them look rare and delicate. These T+ albino Dendrobates auratus are especially striking, retaining just enough black pigment to have normal vision.
There are a few reptilian residents sharing space with the frogs—among them, these endlessly entertaining Lepidodactylus lugubris. This all-female species reproduces through parthenogenesis, meaning every gecko is essentially a clone of the last. Despite their size, they have big personalities: always out and about, racing across leaves, licking dew from the glass, and playing with each other throughout the day.
These little isopods are both functional and beautiful. Their bold spotting adds movement and interest to the forest floor of any terrarium, while they help break down waste and maintain a healthy habitat for frogs and plants alike.
A small fountain and water area sits tucked into one corner—not just for aesthetics, but to support tadpole rearing and species-appropriate behavior. Many dart frogs use small pools to deposit their tadpoles. Building this feature has already encouraged courtship behavior and increased vocalization.
Bromeliads are a central part of this system—offering shelter, water collection points, and vertical structure. Frogs climb inside to hydrate, hide, and sometimes even raise their tadpoles. I grow several species throughout the tank.
To maintain the high humidity and warmth required for a thriving forest floor ecosystem, I built a fully automated misting and heating system. This setup ensures the plants stay hydrated, the mosses stay lush, and the frogs remain comfortable in their jungle home.
Early on, a few frogs escaped—so I redesigned the entire lid. The current system uses stainless steel mesh with ultra tight tolerances to allow airflow while keeping even the smallest frog inside. 3D-printed handles, painted to match the tank's inhabitants, add a visual cue for what’s living inside.
I maintain a constant supply of wingless Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei fruit flies—"fruit walks," if you will—to feed the frogs. Cultures need to be cycled every month to keep production going, making this the least appealing but most essential part of the system.
