My Mantella Collection.

[MantellaGuy]

Hi everyone,

Thought I would post up a few of my Madagascan Mantella collection Out of all the species I have kept over the years, Mantella have always been my favourite!! (If my user name didn't give that away lol)

Firstly, here are some snaps of my Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) which if you don't know anything about Mantella, are the most widely kept species from the genus.

Golden Mantella
Nomenclature: Mantella aurantiaca
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Country of Origin: Eastern-central Madagascar.

Information: This species is 1 of 16 species in the Mantella genus all of which use Aposematism as a defence mechanism. Aposematism basically derives from the Greek words that mean "Warning Colours" a defence which has made another family of frogs famous, the Dendrobatidae family (Poison Dart Frogs). Like the rest of the Mantella genus, it is completely terrestrial and is not a fantastic swimmer, but will be found in and around swamp-like and Marshland areas where it will also remain to breed.

It is one of the most endangered (listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List) out of the entire genus and can only be found in a few select places in Eastern-central Madagascar, two places are in the Torotorofotsy Marshlands and the Andromena Forest regions. However, even though it is one of the rarest and most at risk of extinction, it is also one of the most over bred species in captivity being both popular in Zoological collections and the Private Pet Trade.

© 2013 (These are copyrighted photographs, please ask permission before using)

Secondly here are my Brown Leaf Mantella (Mantella betsileo) individuals which are quite the prolific breeders! lol

Brown Leaf Mantella
Nomenclature: Mantella betsileo
IUCN Red List: Least Concern
Country of Origin: Western to Central Madagascar.

Information: This species is 1 of 16 species in the Mantella genus all of which use Aposematism as a defence mechanism. Aposematism basically derives from the Greek words that mean "Warning Colours" a defence which has made another family of frogs famous, the Dendrobatidae family (Poison Dart Frogs). Like the rest of the Mantella genus, it is completely terrestrial and is not a fantastic swimmer, but will be found in and around swampy areas where it will also remain to breed. It's a shy member of the genus, unlike some Mantella species that are more bold and will venture out into the open.

It is one of the most common members of the entire genus and this species is widely distributed in western and southwestern Madagascar, with recent records from Isalo and from the central plateau near Antsirabe. It is a highly adaptable species with little habitat-related threats, though it is believed that Slash and Burn farming and over grazing from live-stock has some major impacts to their decline. However, over collecting for commercial and private purposes is a potential threat to the species (like most of the genus), but doesn't have any apparent or drastic effects.

© 2013 (These are copyrighted photographs, please ask permission before using

Shall upload more soon!!

Thank you for reading and looking!

[maxQ]

Wow they are so handsome...love them. Thanks for posting these guys.

[MantellaGuy]

Thank you very much Gary There are more available after your post now too!

[MantellaGuy]

Here is my pair of Arboreal or Climbing Mantella (Mantella laevigata) that are pretty much my most secretive animal in my entire collection (Even my Scaphiophyrne species come out more than these guys lol)

Arboreal Mantella
Nomenclature: Mantella laevigata
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Country of Origin: Ambavala, Ambodimanga (Mananara), Folohy, Marojejy, Nosy Mangabe, Tsararano in Madagascar.

Information: This species is 1 of 16 species in the Mantella genus all of which use Aposematism as a defence mechanism. Aposematism basically derives from the Greek words that mean "Warning Colours" a defence which has made another family of frogs famous, the Dendrobatidae family (Poison Dart Frogs). This species is probably one of the oddest within the entire genus, being completely unique and showing a few similarities to the Oophaga genus of Central America. Just like the Oophaga (Greek for "Egg-eater") genus they provide their offspring with an infertile egg to feed upon, they are also more arboreal than other members of the Mantella genus which is quite a lot like their Dendrobatidae (Poison Dart Frogs) counterparts. It's a shy member of the genus, unlike some Mantella species that are more bold and will venture out into the open.

It is one of the most common members of the entire genus and this species is widely distributed in North-eastern Madagascar, with recent records from Marojejy south to Folohy. It's mainly threatened by the decline of its forest habitat due to subsistence agriculture, timber extraction, charcoal manufacture, invasive spread of eucalyptus, livestock grazing and expanding human settlements. However, over collecting for commercial and private purposes is a potential threat to the species (like most of the genus), but doesn't have any apparent or drastic effects.

© 2013 (These are copyrighted photographs, please ask permission before using

Excuse the lack of photos for this species, I hardly get to see them!!

[jz24]

Hi Mantella Guy,

You have made my day with these gorgeous photos! I am considering mantellas as my next species, but have heard they need cooler temperatures. My summertime viv Temps can reach 79. Is that too warm do you think? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Judy

[MantellaGuy]

Hi Mantella Guy,

You have made my day with these gorgeous photos! I am considering mantellas as my next species, but have heard they need cooler temperatures. My summertime viv Temps can reach 79. Is that too warm do you think? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Judy

Hey Judy,

Well thank you very much for the kind words and for looking Very kind! Mantella are a very underestimated genus I personally thingk and that they should be kept more widely lol Hmmmm I would say that a majority of the genus wouldn't be able to handle temperatures as high as that unless you can get an AC unit? The only species that would tolerate Temperatures that high and higher would be the Mantella expectata that can live in temperatures as high as 28-30'c but don't forget that this can be for only short periods of time, the wild doesn't have a thermostat!

I do have a list of temperatures for each of the 16 members of the genus somewhere so I shall write it out for you

Josh

[MantellaGuy]

Here is my pair of Blue-legged Mantella (Mantella expectata) which aren't very blue I will admit but they still have a lot of growing to do!!

Blue Legged Mantella
Nomenclature: Mantella expectata
1.1.0
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Country of Origin: Isalo Massif, Grotte des Portugais, Amparambatomavo, Ambatovaky, Sakavato, Toliara, Morondava region and Mandena in Madagascar.

Information: This species is 1 of 16 species in the Mantella genus all of which use Aposematism as a defence mechanism. Aposematism basically derives from the Greek words that mean "Warning Colours" a defence which has made another family of frogs famous, the Dendrobatidae family (Poison Dart Frogs). Like the rest of the Mantella genus, it is completely terrestrial and is not a fantastic swimmer, but will be found in and around swampy areas where it will also remain to breed.

It is one of the most uncommon members of the entire genus and this species is only found in a small distribution range in South-eastern Madagascar, including a fragmented distributed range within the Isalo massif (The same area as the Scaphiophryne gottlebei species). It's mainly threatened by the decline of its forest habitat due to subsistence agriculture, timber extraction, charcoal manufacture, invasive spread of eucalyptus, livestock grazing and expanding human settlements. However, over collecting for commercial and private purposes is a potential threat to the species (like most of the genus), but doesn't have any apparent or drastic effects.

© 2013 (These are copyrighted photographs, please ask permission before using

And here are some photos of my Green Mantella (Mantella viridis) which are possibly one of my favourite species within the genus! lol They are definitely incredibly beautiful.

Green Mantella
Nomenclature: Mantella viridis
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Country of Origin: Top-Northern Madagascar.

Information: This species is 1 of 16 species in the Mantella genus all of which use Aposematism as a defence mechanism. Aposematism basically derives from the Greek words that mean "Warning Colours" a defence which has made another family of frogs famous, the Dendrobatidae family (Poison Dart Frogs).

It is one of the most endangered out of the entire genus and can only be found in a few select places in Top-Northern Madagascar, in the Fôret d’Ambre Special Reserve, Montagne des Français, Antogombato, Andranotsymaty, Antsahampano, Ivovona, Anjiabe, Andoajampoana, Mangoaka, Antsiranana, Ankitsakalaninaombi, Daraina, Mahavavona, Joffreville, Francom and the island of Nosy Hara. It is one of the rarest and most at risk of extinction and one of the least kept species in the genus.

© 2013 (These are copyrighted photographs, please ask permission before using

And here is the last lot for the day! My Yellow Mantella (Mantella crocea) individuals which are pretty bold I must admit lol

Yellow Mantella
Nomenclature: Mantella crocea
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Country of Origin: Eastern-Central Madagascar.

Information: This species is 1 of 16 species in the Mantella genus all of which use Aposematism as a defence mechanism. Aposematism basically derives from the Greek words that mean "Warning Colours" a defence which has made another family of frogs famous, the Dendrobatidae family (Poison Dart Frogs). Like the rest of the Mantella genus, it is completely terrestrial and is not a fantastic swimmer, but will be found in and around swampy areas where it will also remain to breed.

It is classed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and can only be found in Eastern-central Madagascar, from a few localities covering a very small area including; Ifoha west of Parc National de Mantadia, a forest area east of Ambohimanarivo and outside the Réserve Naturelle Intégrale de Zahamena. This species is (like most of Madagascar's Wildlife) mainly threatened by Habitat-loss through Agricultural expansion from Crop planting and livestock grazing land, Expansion of Human Settlements and Logging for Timber. It is believed to be mildly threatened by Collection for the Pet Trade, however this hasn't shown any signs of a lasting or drastic effect to their decline.

© 2013 (These are copyrighted photographs, please ask permission before using

I shall take some photos of my M.laevigata and various other species I have currently for you all too see

Thank you again for taking the time to look!

[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.

[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

[deranged chipmunk]

They are gorgeous Josh! Nice acquisition!!

[DigitalPunk]

They are amazing!

[Heatheranne]

Awesome!

[tgampper]

Hi! I really like the variety of Mantellas you keep. I had an opportunity to care for several species of Madagascar frogs when I worked at the zoo. The Omaha Zoo has several research stations in Madagascar specializing in lemurs and other animals as well.