Timbo Disc Frog

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Distributed in the upper Rio Negro basin in northwestern Amazonia, with populations recorded in northwestern Brazil (Amazonas state) and eastern Colombia. It inhabits primary, non-flooded rainforests (terra firme), living buried in damp, sandy-clay soils beneath layers of leaf litter.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Microhylidae, subfamily Otophryninae, and genus Synapturanus. Scientifically described by Pyburn in 1975. Evolutionary lineage shows extreme physiological and anatomical adaptations for subterranean microhabitats. DNA barcoding distinguishes it from S. mirandaribeiroi.

Behavior and Habits: Exhibits an almost entirely fossorial lifestyle. Emerge onto the forest floor very rarely, primarily during heavy tropical rains for breeding. Males vocalize from within their self-dug underground burrows, emitting a high-pitched call that penetrates the soil to attract females.

Morphology: A very small frog, with adult lengths ranging between 2.4 and 2.6 cm (1 inch). Features a heavily built, drop-shaped body with short, muscular limbs adapted for reverse-burrowing. The snout is highly pointed and rigid, while the eyes are reduced, and the tympanum is absent.

Terrarium Setup: A specialized terrarium measuring at least 40x30x30 cm (15x12x12 inches) is required. Provide a deep substrate layer (12-15 cm) made of a moist mix of peat moss, organic soil, and fine coco coir. The surface must be covered with a thick layer of sterile leaf litter (oak or catappa leaves).

Lighting and Heating: Strong lights are not needed; a dim LED to establish a 12-hour light cycle is sufficient. Maintain daytime temperatures at 24-26°C (75-79°F), dropping to 20°C (68°F) at night. Do not use under-tank heating mats as they dry out the burrowing soil from below.

Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high relative humidity between 85% and 95%. Substrate must remain damp but not muddy. Spray the enclosure daily with dechlorinated water. Provide a very shallow water dish, though hydration is achieved mostly by absorbing water from the soil.

Feeding and Supplementation: Feeds on tiny soil-dwelling invertebrates. Offer springtails, dwarf isopods, wingless fruit flies, and pinhead crickets. Prey should be dusted with calcium powder at every feeding, and with a multivitamin including D3 twice a week.

Compatibility: Best kept in a single-species setup. Do not cohouse with other amphibian species. A small group can be housed together if the enclosure is spacious and the substrate is deep enough to allow separate digging spaces.

Health and Common Diseases: Bacterial or fungal dermatitis is a significant risk if the soil becomes stagnant or dirty. Dehydration is fatal within hours if the humidity drops. Handling should be avoided to prevent damage to their delicate, permeable skin.