Description
Other Names (How it Got Its Names)
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Common names: Mint Terribilis, Golden Poison Dart Frog (Mint morph).
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Phyllobates = “leaf climber,” terribilis = “terrible” — named for its potency in the wild as the most toxic dart frog known.
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“Mint” refers to the pale green to mint-colored morph, distinct from the standard golden-yellow terribilis.
Characteristics
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Large, robust dart frog species.
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Bold and confident in captivity — often visible and active.
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Despite their reputation in the wild, captive-bred terribilis are non-toxic (toxicity comes from a wild diet of toxic ants/mites).
Recommended Vivarium Size
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Minimum: 18” x 18” x 18” for a pair.
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Larger enclosures (24” x 18” x 18” or bigger) are recommended for groups, as they are quite large and active.
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Provide open floor space, leaf litter, cork bark, and dense plants for cover.
Temperature
Humidity
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70–90%, with daily misting.
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Maintain moist microhabitats but with ventilation to prevent stagnant air.
Size of Frog
Life Span
Feeding
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Diet: fruit flies (D. melanogaster and D. hydei), pinhead crickets, small roaches, isopods, and springtails.
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Feed daily; dust prey with calcium and vitamins 2–3 times weekly.
Color/Pattern
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The Mint morph is pale mint-green to turquoise, sometimes with subtle darker marbling.
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Lacks the bright golden-orange coloration of the standard terribilis morph.
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Color intensity can vary slightly between individuals.
Social Behavior
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One of the more social dart frog species.
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Can often be housed in groups if provided with adequate space and resources.
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Less aggressive than many Dendrobates tinctorius morphs.
How to Determine Sex
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Males: smaller, slimmer, and produce a soft buzzing call.
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Females: larger, rounder-bodied when gravid.
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Sexing juveniles is difficult until maturity.
How to Breed
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Provide petri dishes, film canisters, or leaf litter as egg-laying sites.
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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.
🌟 Phyllobates terribilis “Mint” is prized as a large, bold, and stunning morph of the most legendary dart frog species — making it both a display showpiece and a collector’s favorite.
