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Care Sheet: Green Mantella (Mantella viridis)

Common Name: Green Mantella.

Scientific Name: Mantella viridis.

Distribution: Extreme Northern Madagascar.

Size: 2.5 - 3.5cm.

Sexing: At first it is quite difficult to determine the sex of these frogs, the most reliable way is if the males can be heard making a cricket like chirp when either calling for a mate or marking its territory. Females do tend to have a more rounded body shape but this is not always reliable.

Varieties: There are 2 possible varieties of Green Mantella, the first is a brilliant grass-green with dark flanks and red flash markings on the inside of the thighs, the other is a darker green with brownish limbs and dark flanks. The underside of both types is black with blue speckles.

Requirements: These small frogs are very territorial and so require a fairly large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a group of 4 adults. They require an open woodland type set-up with a substrate of bark chips or topsoil covered with live moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark and live plants (Ferns, Bromeliads, Tillandsia, Orchids) can be arranged to provide a number of hiding places. A small water bowl (no deeper than the frog's height at rest) must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. The water will need to be changed daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria in the water whilst changing the water it is a good idea to visually inspect the tank and remove, clean and replace any soiled items. If kept in a warm room the tank will not usually need to be heated. A light source should be provided by the means of a fluorescent UVB tube. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile friendly disinfectant.

Feeding: Adult Mantellas require feeding every day, they will take a mixture of suitably sized insects including small crickets, freshly shed mini-mealworm, ants, termites, whiteworm, and fruitflies. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once a week. Young Mantellas will take springtails, hatchling crickets, aphids, whiteworm and fruitflies, these should be fed several times a day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week.