Tiny black ants as feeders?

[RRFROGS]

hey, i was wondering if I could feed my Mantella Viridis small black ants? I know there not toxic and wont make my mantelllas toxic but i would like to vary the diet instead of just flies an crickets.

[Skulldroog]

I'm not quite sure about that since I don't really keep any species of dart frogs. Though there are quite a handful of very intelligent people here who do. I'm sure you'll get your answer soon.

Check out the care sheets on the forums.

[adawinters]

How certain are you that they're not toxic? Like Nate, I'm not really expert with dart frogs (or ants for that matter), but I was pretty sure that all ant species had some toxins. Also, ants can pack quite a bite, which is true of a few insects, but I'd be really worried about having them in an enclosure, especially with an animal as small and soft skinned as a dart.

If I'm way off the mark with all of this, I'm sure someone else will jump in to correct me.

Why don't you look into other, commercially bred food options that are available online or at your local shops?

[Ebony]

Im the same, I have fed my young Whistling tree frogs ants but im not sure if your ant are like our ants or if your ants bite. I know there are some nasty ants out there. Sorry I cant help.

[Deku]

Hmm I remember seeing tiny roaches for sale somewhere. They are also used as a diet for small frogs/toads/lizards. I forget where though. But anywho, I think they would make a good lunch for your froggies. If not then I guess Ill be corrected too.

[SethD]

hey, i was wondering if I could feed my Mantella Viridis small black ants? I know there not toxic and wont make my mantelllas toxic but i would like to vary the diet instead of just flies an crickets.

Shouldn't be a problem if we are talking a small non aggressive species of ant.

[RRFROGS]

yeah there just small black ants that are everywhere because we have been getting alot of rain. they're not agressive at all and just wanted to know if its still ok for them to eat in captivity

[Malduroque]

If it's the same kind of small black ants we have here in So Cal, they at least don't have stingers, so no formic acid. However, they still have those formidable mandibles and just because we can't feel their bite doesn't mean Mr. Dart Frog won't feel it.