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Care Sheet: Malagasy Mantella (Mantella madagascariensis)

Common Name: Malagasy Mantella, Painted Mantella.

Scientific Name: Mantella madagascariensis.

Distribution: Eastern Madagascar.

Size: 2.5cm.

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, calling for a mate or to mark its territory. Females do tend to have a more rounded body shape but this is not always reliable.

Colouration: The Malagasy Mantella is the most variably coloured Mantella species. The dorsum of these frogs is often black, with yellow to lime-green sides and forelimbs. The hind limbs can be either orange, brown or red reticulated with black stripes or spots, and the head may also be black, orange or brown.

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.