What Makes Thumbnails "Intermediate"

[Helios]

In continuing to look into keeping dart frogs, the feedback I've got on my enclosure size suggests thumbnails are likely the best choice. I'm curious though, what aspect of their care leads them to being considered intermediate? Is it simply that they require a smaller gradient of humidity and are more delicate? I have plenty of experience keeping reptiles, but not as much with amphibians, so this is something I was very curious about with this species. Thanks!

[flybyferns]

Hello,
What species of thumbnail are you referring to?

I have R imitator 'Varadero'.
Yes, It is very important to maintain proper temp and humidity settings for all PDFs. ( as for any frog )
However, I wold have to say (I think ) my imitators are easier to care for then my tree frogs !

Thoughts?

Lynn

[Helios]

Hi Lynn,

At this point I hadn't pinned down a specific species yet but I've been looking the morphs that tend toward the yellow/black with the speckled legs. Haha I don't remember the names off hand. Still, everything I've read on care sheets classifies the thumbnails as intermediate- thus is mostly on sites selling them, but then there's no details about what they're gauging that by.
my thoughts were that if it's purely the environmental factors in the enclosure that's not as intimidating.

[Mentat]

Hello Helios! Was going to answer your thread earlier but then got sidetracked for a while. I've not kept Thumbnails but have researched them for a while before deciding on one and building a vivarium for them.

More than their specific temperature and humidity requirements, think the "intermediate" care classification is related to their stressful nature. From what I read; Thumbnail Dart frogs are easily stressed and will die from it in a matter of days. Reading about it reminded me of some delicate salt water fish that when handled improperly will die immediately of an acute stress attack. Also, they are very territorial and if one in a group is ostracized and hobbyist does not notice; that frog is doomed in a few days. Hope this helps !

[Helios]

Ah ok makes sense. I'm planning to do a pretty thorough build in a 12" x 12" x 18" and spend a great deal of time establishing the microclimate before I get the frogs themselves. I looked at John Clare's step by step and that gave me some ideas as to what I'm wanting to do. ie 4 to 6 months.
While I don't have as much experience with amphibians I do keep cresteds and while hardy they do have sensitivity to temps and humidity, so I feel like if that's the basis with thumbnail's being intermediate I'd be all right. Are you in the process of getting your vivarium going?

[Mentat]

... Are you in the process of getting your vivarium going?

No, just researching and observing the economy right now . Will hopefully build it early next year and get frogs in Spring .