My Mantella Collection.

[MantellaGuy]

Very nice. I wish I could get my hands on a couple more different mantella species but for some reason many of the breeders won't ship here (Canada). Your recording of the their daily care is quite specific lol. It is interesting that you mentioned the arboreal behaviour as I have noticed very little of that behaviour in my M. Betsileo colony (as of yet) although I have a setup that would allow for it. Periodically one of them might be on a higher branch but that is not too common. They seem to be, at least the past few months, very much oriented towards burrowing into the moss and creating little indents/caves here and there.

Various species of Mantella are sometimes available around about July time, this is when the Malagasy Imports tend to occur. But generally I have found that people this side of the Atlantic tend to stick to Europe which can be viewed as unfair in all honesty. Well, currently they would be more into burrowing like you describe because of the time of year, if you minimumise the amount you spray them, you may encourage breeding behaviours more. They can be very arboreal, if they are offered such a setup however this may not always be the case and that stick to lower down, however with both bloodlines, they appear more arboreal.

[deranged chipmunk]

Very nice. I wish I could get my hands on a couple more different mantella species but for some reason many of the breeders won't ship here (Canada). Your recording of the their daily care is quite specific lol. It is interesting that you mentioned the arboreal behaviour as I have noticed very little of that behaviour in my M. Betsileo colony (as of yet) although I have a setup that would allow for it. Periodically one of them might be on a higher branch but that is not too common. They seem to be, at least the past few months, very much oriented towards burrowing into the moss and creating little indents/caves here and there.

I noticed my males climb and my females have created little burrows for themselves. Like MG alluded to, their winter is a bit more dry, so I most less now, maybe once or twice a week. In the spring, I'll increase it, until I get back to misting everyday. I want to see if i can excite a breeding response out of them.

Also, check out understory enterprises, they are based in Canada and are the few folks who actually have an active breeding program for mantellas this side if the Atlantic.

[MantellaGuy]

I noticed my males climb and my females have created little burrows for themselves. Like MG alluded to, their winter is a bit more dry, so I most less now, maybe once or twice a week. In the spring, I'll increase it, until I get back to misting everyday. I want to see if i can excite a breeding response out of them.

Also, check out understory enterprises, they are based in Canada and are the few folks who actually have an active breeding program for mantellas this side if the Atlantic.

Well most of the genus respond to Precipitation this way, I have nearly all of my Mantella species breeding without issue most the time when replicating the seasonal conditions. I could go into more detail with their exact details of their habitat requirements that I am providing them on a annual basis?

[Geo]

Actually Bill I obtained my last 4 M. Betsileo from Understory as they were the only ones that I could get who would ship to here (Nova Scotia, Canada). It is my understanding that they are one of the very few North American professional breeders who have had consistent populations of various mantellas breeding somewhat on schedule. I would be very curious to see their facility and the methods they are applying but they are very hush hush about it from what I can tell. I am hoping to get my hands on some M. Viridis eventually and then move on from there as my success rate increases regarding their care. I have several other larger terrariums empty and ready but I don't believe in rushing into it unless I am prepared. Not fair to me or the wee little critters.

[MantellaGuy]

Hi all

Here are some snaps of my latest acquisitions, a pair of Mantella aurantiaca individuals but with a difference! They are both incredibly pale "Wild Type" colourations











Gorgeous colourations, really pleased with them and they are a great blood line too so perfect for future breeding!!

[Geo]

ok now I am envious! nice specimens.

[MantellaGuy]

ok now I am envious! nice specimens.

Gorgeous eh? Very lucky I spotted them both!

[MantellaGuy]

One last update for the day, for those of you that have access to the Magazine known as Practical Reptile Keeping, I wrote an article on the Mantella genus explaining the Basic Care, Natural History and finally Conservation of them.

[Mentat]

Your pale specimens look great ! Also, congrats on the article publication .

[deranged chipmunk]

Nice acquisitions! They are sweet! And congrats on the article! Very cool!

[Heatheranne]

Gorgeous frogs! Congrats on the article .

[DigitalPunk]

Those are amazing! Man I would kill to be able to read that article.

[MantellaGuy]

Thank you all I will have a PDF file of the article but unfortunately am not allowed to use it yet, for obvious reasons! lol I know that the Magazine is not commonly available in the US (apparently been told this before) so I don't mind giving those of you the article PDf as long as it stays to whom I have given it to

[DigitalPunk]

I would love a PDF copy and can promise it will stay in my possession and not make it's way out onto the internet. I will PM you my email address

[tonyball]

Those are some really great looking specimens

[MantellaGuy]

Hi all,

Update with some of the Mantella specimens! I recently wanted to purchase some more Mantella laevigata individuals, and when it came down to dealing with the supplier, they sold them all, which was gutting so I decided to buy yet another bloodline of Mantella viridis making it my 4th now... Kinda glad I did when I finally saw the individuals... Just wait till you see! lol

So I got 4 of them and look at this...

LOOK AT IT, it looks like it will explode with the amount of spawn it has currently! lol So fingers crossed that the two gravid individuals come up with some more spawn.

[deranged chipmunk]

They are gorgeous Josh! Nice acquisition!!

[DigitalPunk]

They are amazing!

[Heatheranne]

Awesome!

[MantellaGuy]

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd let you all know, I made a care sheet for my own Forum, but I took the information and posted it on Frogforum also! Here is the link below:

Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) Care Sheet - by Joshua Ralph

I hope you all like the care sheet which includes;

• Scientific and Common Naming,
• Micro-habitat Types,
• Conservation Status,
• Temperature Ranges,
• Photo-period Activity,
• Humidity Parameters,
• Water Parameters,
• Diet,
• Enclosure,
• Breeding & Other Comments,
• Rearing Notes,
• Recommended Reading,

Anyway, please leave some feeback, and hope that this can become a Caresheet on here!

Kind regards,

Joshua