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Care Sheet: Leaf Mantella (Mantella betsileo)

Common Name: Leaf Mantella, Black-sided Mantella, Brown Mantella.

Scientific Name: Mantella betsileo.

Distribution: Central 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.

Colouration: The colour of these beautiful little frogs varies very slightly, the dorsum can be a dark brown to a vivid copper colour, with black sides and venter, the legs can range from grey to blue.

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 a well-planted 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 climbing, perching and 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.