Ranitomeya is divided into four separate species groups, and R. variabilis along with R. Amazonica belong to the variabilis group. Because of the climatic condition, researchers could not find relevant fossil records for the frog and its ancestry. The specie is also part of the Highland morph of the genus Ranitomeya, whereas the lowland morph is R. ventrimaculata. Habitat and distribution R. Variabilis is native to South America. It is mainly distributed in the western region of the Amazonian-Orinocan Lowlands, which is around northern Peru, Ecuador, western Brazil, and the southern Colombia region. R. Variabilis can be found as far as 195 kilometers southeast of Brazil. The average rainfall in areas in which R. Variabilis habituate is around 2500 mm, with a dry season between June and September. This dry season is correlated with changes in parental and egg deposition behaviors. Temperature varies from 16 to 32°C and tends to be on the lower end during the dry season. Adults are often found in secondary to ancient forests because of the presence of ideal oviposition sites. Individuals have also been found around higher arboreal perches. Conservation Most R. variabilis are experiencing some population decline due to agriculture. R. variabilis is involved in illegal pet trafficking for poison dart frogs. Home range and territoriality Home range is the general region in which an individual travels for food scavenging. Adult male R. Variabilis occupy slightly larger home ranges than females, averaging around 31.3 square meters. Though one may expect the home range territory would be associated with breeding location, R. Variabilis''' home range shows no little to no association with the distribution of their phytotelmas. Because the specie exhibits male uniparental care, male individuals are often observed far away from their phytotelmas. Due to their promiscuous mating system, there is also little home range overlap between individual breeding pairs. Diet R. Variabilis tadpoles are known to be omnivorous and cannibalistic. In addition to eggs and conspecific tadpoles in the same phytotelmas, R. variabilis tadpoles are also able to feed on organic detritus, small insect larvae, and other anuran eggs. Adult R. Variabilis generally prey on ants, fruit flies, terminates, and small beetles. Reproduction Reproduction occurs during the day and peaks after rain. Males initiate advertisement calls when they see a female and approach the female with increasing calling frequency. Males usually call around suitable phytotelmas, and once the female lay the eggs,