Quick Reference

Gregariousness

The "best" population make up for a frog colony.

Most dart frogs seem to live well in pairs, (1.1.0)*, but to view the full range of behavior it is best to look at larger colonies. If the frog's territory is unlimited, or close to it, then a colony with an equal sex ratio is best. The frogs will be able to migrate to where they have the amount of territory they need. Though competition and fighting will occur the frogs should, mostly, do well.

When space is limited then some of the combative behavior, though natural, is often not what we want to have effecting our studying of the animals. There have been a number of reports of some frogs, (D. pumilio and E. tricolor in particular), killing frogs in the act of defending their territory. Also, when space is limited, breeding behavior can be effected.

In my opinion, the population parameters I've presented allow for viewing a large range of behavior while still allowing the animals to thrive and successfully reproduce.

*This designation is as given as; The number of known male frogs. The number of known females . The number of frogs whose sex is unknown, (often meaning juveniles).

Though more than one pair may work with these animals, breeding is often affected. The competition between males vs. males or females vs. females can bring the death of a frog or at least have it not thrive.

Frogs that do well in groups of equal sexes can be the most pleasing. They often have competition and fighting but also a lot of breeding activity.

 

 A larger male population to a small female population usually goes with frogs that produce a large number of eggs in each clutch. The males are usually very loud and competitive and usually spend a large part of their time fighting. In some cases groups are best to keep with fewer females because the females will occasionally eat each other's eggs.

 

 In frogs where breeding is complex and rare, a larger number of females, to male frogs, is wanted.
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