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Submitted by Jeffrey Stilwell
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| Latin name |
Mantella sp |
Maximum length |
1 - 2 inches |
| Native to |
Madagascar |
Approximate life span |
5 - 10 years |
GENERAL INFORMATION
ENCLOSURE
Mantellas are small colorful frogs from Madagascar. There are thought
to be 10 - 15 or more different species. Color and pattern are
extremely variable making exact classification very difficult.
Mantellas are diurnal (active during the day and sleep at night). They
reach sexual maturity after 1 year but sex determination can be rather
difficult. Males are typically smaller and sit more upright while
females are slightly more robust. During the day Mantellas are very
active and you can hear males calling from under the leaves. These
little frogs can be great for the person not caring to have their house
filled with the clutter of shelves stacked with sterile looking cages.
Their small size allows for a nice variety to be housed in a single,
well-decorated cage.
SUBSTRATE
A 10 - 20 gallon aquarium with a screen
cover should work fine for 2 - 4 Mantellas. A long, low enclosure is
better as Mantellas are found primarily on the forest floors.
TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY
The substrate should be a mixture of semi-moist peat moss and potting
soil about 2 - 4 inches deep. Make sure all substrates are pesticide
and Styrolite™ free. Change the substrate about every 3 - 5 weeks or
more often if it appears dirty. If you choose to use live plants, make
sure they are free of pesticides. A top layer of dead leaves and
sphagnum moss will help to provide plenty of cover and will provide
small hiding areas.
HEATING
Daytime temperatures should be near 76°f.
Nighttime temperatures can drop to 65°f. Temperatures that are too high
may cause stress in Mantellas. Humidity should be high, 80 - 90%. To
help maintain the high humidity level, lightly mist the enclosure once
or twice a day with fresh de-chlorinated water. (Hint - when spraying
glass enclosures, do so with distilled water. This will drastically
reduce the amount of water spotting).
LIGHTING
Mantella frogs do not like bright light. A
low wattage bulb should be sufficient, either incandescent or
fluorescent. All reptiles and amphibians need a photo period (light
cycle). A plug in timer (for your lights only, do not use a timer for
your heating devices) works well to develop a regular photo period of
12 hours light, and 12 hours dark. UVB lighting is not required for
Mantellas, however the fluorescent Zoo Med REPTI IGUANA LIGHT™ with its
high UVA output is an excellent choice for daytime lighting. UVA will
help reptiles develop regular feeding and breeding habits as well as
show their colors well. Use a low wattage red bulb can be used at night
to view your Mantellas.
FOOD & WATER
The Mantella diet should consist of
pin head crickets and wing-less fruit flies (Drosophila species) fed
daily. Be sure to feed your crickets assorted fruit and vegetables or a
commercially prepared cricket diet 12 - 24 hours before feeding the
crickets to your pets. Dust crickets with Zoo Med REPTIVITE® vitamins
once a week just before you feed them to your frogs. Provide a shallow
water dish that allows the frogs easy access. Mantellas are not
typically strong swimmers and prefer to be able to sit or wade in the
water. The water level should be no deeper than ½ the frog's height
when at rest. Amphibians absorb water through their skin, so the water
must be kept clean. Change the water at least every other day with
de-chlorinated or spring water. Change more often if the water appears
dirty.
NOTES
Always wash your hands before and immediately
after handling reptiles and amphibians. Never leave live food long term
with reptiles & amphibians. They can inflict severe harm, even kill
your pet. If your animals take some time to eat or you feed them at
night, leave a slice of potato, carrot or dry dog food for the live
food items to eat. Your local pet shop is an ideal source for reptile
and amphibian related books and supplies. Please make sure you read and
become familiar with any instructions provided with reptile support
products you may purchase.
For further information on reptiles and amphibians we
recommend you read REPTILES MAGAZINE and THE VIVARIUM. California
Zoological Supply hopes you have enjoyed reading this reference sheet
on Mantella Frogs. We hope that our guidelines will assist you with the
care or possible purchase of your new pet.
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Amphibians 
