Amphibian atlas

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Cornufer myersi is endemic to Bougainville Island within the Solomon Islands archipelago (politically Papua New Guinea). It lives exclusively in undisturbed primary tropical rainforests, particularly in hilly and lower montane zones. It is found on the forest floor among damp leaf litter, moss beds, and rotting wood.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Ceratobatrachidae, genus Cornufer, this species is noted for its direct development reproductive strategy. Females lay terrestrial eggs in moist microhabitats, which hatch directly into juvenile frogs. Genetics are closely tied to other island endemics that have evolved away from aquatic breeding.

Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal and terrestrial. During the day, it burrows into leaf litter or hides under moss-covered logs to conserve moisture and avoid predators. At night, it emerges to forage for small forest invertebrates. Males utilize distinct acoustic calls at night during wet periods to attract mates.

Morphology: A relatively small-to-medium-sized frog with a compact body shape. It has a broad head, large eyes with horizontal pupils, and moderately long limbs. The dorsal skin is smooth to slightly granular. Coloration is highly cryptic, consisting of shades of brown, grey, and cream with dark bands on the legs.

Terrarium Setup: A humid terrarium of at least 50x40x40 cm is required for a pair. The substrate must consist of organic soil, coco fiber, and sphagnum moss, topped with a thick layer of sterilized leaf litter (oak or Catappa). Furnish with hollow cork tubes, pieces of rotten wood, and live plants such as ferns and moss.

Lighting and Heating: Prefers cool, stable conditions. Daytime temperatures should range from 20°C to 23°C, dropping to 17°C-19°C at night. Avoid temperatures above 25°C. Use a low-wattage heat mat on a thermostat if heating is needed. Keep lighting soft with a low-output LED bulb on a 12-hour timer.

Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high relative humidity levels of 80% to 90% at all times. Spray the enclosure once or twice daily with dechlorinated water. Provide a very shallow water dish for soaking; ensure the water is shallow enough to prevent drowning risk. Substrate must remain damp but not soggy.

Feeding and Supplementation: Insectivorous. Feed a variety of small live insects like crickets, fruit flies, woodlice, and springtails. Dust the prey with a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement once a week for adults, and twice a week for juveniles to support bone development and prevent calcium deficiency.

Compatibility: Best kept individually or in confirmed male-female pairs. Avoid keeping multiple males together in small spaces due to potential territorial stress. Do not house with other amphibian or reptile species to prevent the spread of disease and minimize interspecific competition.

Health and Common Diseases: Prone to skin infections (bacterial and fungal) if kept in unhygienic conditions or if there is insufficient ventilation. Spot-clean the terrarium daily to remove feces and uneaten food. Ensure the enclosure has adequate ventilation mesh to prevent stagnant air and mold.