Range

Madagascar is the native home of the golden mantella. Here they are found in just three distinct areas near the Western edge of the island.

Habitat

Golden mantellas live in rainforests, swampy areas and are often found in screw pine forest.

Reproduction

Small groups of golden mantellas known as armies will form. These have one male to every two females.

Breeding takes place during November. Males will set up a territory that is concealed and near the water. Here they repeat their 3 click call over and over till they attract a female.

Females will find a section of moist leaf litter where they can deposit their clutch of between 20 and 60 white eggs. Male mantellas will care for their frogs for a few days till they hatch. Once this occurs the tadpoles are washed into the water by floods. Once they are here they feed on algae and grow.

It takes 6-8 weeks before the tadpoles begin to resemble frogs. At this point they are only about 1cm (0.4in) long. These little frogs begin life coloured a dull brown that blends well with the leaf litter.

After a year they are sexually mature and coloured like the adults.

Behavior

Golden mantellas are active during the day unlike most other frogs which are nocturnal. This is believed to be an adaptation which means that predators can see their colourful warning.

Their call consists of a series of short, chirping notes.

Small mammals, snakes and birds all prey upon these frogs though their colourful pattern helps to keep predators at bay.

Unlike most frogs the golden mantella is found mostly on the ground. Their short legs are an adaptation that helps them climb more than it allows them to hop.

Quick facts

The golden mantella is one of Madagascar’s most endangered amphibian species. In the wild numbers are decreasing due collection for the pet trade and fragmentation of their native forest.