Description
Other Names (How it Got Its Names)
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Common names: Highland Bronze Auratus, Bronze and Black Poison Dart Frog.
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Auratus = “golden” in Latin, though this morph shows a bronze sheen rather than green or turquoise.
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“Highland Bronze” refers to its coloration and the elevated regions of Central America where this form originates.
Characteristics
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Medium-sized dart frog with a more subtle, earthy coloration compared to typical auratus.
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Shy compared to tinctorius and leucomelas, but becomes bolder in well-planted enclosures.
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Hardy and long-lived in captivity.
Recommended Vivarium Size
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Minimum: 18” x 18” x 18” for a pair or trio.
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Larger enclosures (24” x 18” x 18” or bigger) recommended for groups.
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Provide dense planting, cork bark, and leaf litter to help them feel secure.
Temperature
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Daytime: 70–76°F (21–24°C).
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Nighttime: 65–70°F (18–21°C).
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This morph prefers cooler conditions than many dart frogs.
Humidity
Size of Frog
Life Span
Feeding
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Diet: Drosophila melanogaster and D. hydei fruit flies, springtails, isopods, and pinhead crickets.
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Feed daily; dust feeders with calcium and multivitamins 2–3 times per week.
Color/Pattern
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Dark brown to black base color with metallic bronze or copper patterning.
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Markings may appear as blotches, stripes, or reticulated patterns.
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Color intensity can vary based on lighting and genetics.
Social Behavior
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Can be kept in pairs or groups if space allows.
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Less territorial than tinctorius, but males may still compete during breeding.
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Shy at first but can grow bold over time in planted vivaria.
How to Determine Sex
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Males: smaller, slimmer, produce soft trilling calls, and may develop more defined toe pads.
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Females: larger, rounder-bodied when gravid.
How to Breed
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Provide petri dishes, film canisters, or leaf axils for egg deposition.
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Males call to attract females; eggs are laid in moist, concealed spots.
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Eggs hatch in 10–14 days; tadpoles can be raised in aquatic setups.
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Metamorphosis occurs in ~2–3 months depending on diet and conditions.
🌿 D. auratus “Highland Bronze” is unique among auratus morphs for its bronze, coppery sheen and preference for cooler temps, making it a favorite for keepers wanting something different from the classic green & black forms.
