JOSÉ MARÍA BARBEITO
Making an Ecosystem
As a child, I was always on the hunt for an insect or reptile to bring home - eager to build it a miniature world inside where I could observe it. As I grew older, my attempts became increasingly complex and lifelike, until at the age of 17 I found myself caring for multiple species of poison dart frogs in a 55 gallon self-sustaining vivarium.
There are dozens of sub-species of poison dart frogs. Native to Central and South America, they usually prey on select insects, giving them their unique toxins. In captivity, however, they are harmless.
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I decided to house five distinct varieties. Of the Dendrobates Tinctoruis family: "Azuerus", "Cintronella", "Costa Green", and "Oyapok", in addition to Phyllobates Vittatus "Golfoducean" Poison Arrow frogs.
