Similar in all regards to R. ventrimaculata, variabilis is essentially an altitudinal variant of ventrimaculata. Primarily found in montane regions between 300-1200m of the east Andean foothills of Peru. In certain lower elevations variabilis may exhibit the pattern highly reminiscent of what would be expected from ventrimacula. The southern form is larger and is found in the lower strata of the forest, and breeds frequently in terrestrial plants such as xanthasomas. Regardless of origin, variabilis are spectacular animals and in most cases will display well in a well planted vivarium. Hardy animals well suited for a first venture into keeping Ranitomeya species.