AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Green Mantella
Mantella viridis
A spectacular frog boasting a bright apple-green color that fades into a deep jet-black belly. Relatively sociable and prolific compared to other species of the same genus.
- Taxonomy
- Class:AmphibiaOrder:AnuraFamily:MantellidaeSubfamily:MantellinaeGenus:MantellaSpecies:Mantella viridis
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 100 %
Day temperature
20 - 26 °C
Night temperature
18 - 20 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A highly endemic and endangered species restricted to extreme northern Madagascar (Montagne des Français). It is a terrestrial inhabitant of seasonal dry forests and limestone karst formations, foraging in shaded leaf litter, damp crevices near slow-moving streams, and under tree roots.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A member of the family Mantellidae, commonly known as the Green Mantella. A small terrestrial frog reaching approximately 2.5 cm in adult length. The body features a brilliant apple-green or acid-lime dorsal coloration, which contrasts sharply with a jet-black belly and limbs that may be speckled with pale green. They lack large adhesive toe pads and are adapted for ground-dwelling, making them poor climbers on smooth glass surfaces.
Behavior and Habits: A timid and active ground-dweller that spends its time foraging in leaf litter, retreating quickly into dark crevices or under cork hides if startled. Males emit a weak, raspy, whistling call during courtship. Breeding occurs in damp recesses where females deposit eggs in moist soil.
Morphology: Females are larger, stockier, and visibly rounded when carrying mature eggs, whereas males are smaller, more slender, and possess vocal sacs that expand during calling.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a terrestrial setup, ideally a bioactive terrarium (minimum 60x45x45 cm) with a deep layer of moist leaf litter, oak leaves, and cork bark tubes. A drainage layer of clay balls is essential to prevent waterlogging, which can cause fatal bacterial infections such as red leg disease or Aeromonas outbreaks.
Lighting and Heating: Keep temperatures moderate, ideally between 24 and 25°C during the day, with a night drop to 20°C. Temperatures exceeding 28°C can be fatal, making air conditioning necessary during hot summers. Provide low-intensity 5% UVB lighting to prevent metabolic bone disease and ensure proper skeletal development.
Humidity and Hydration: Requires a relative humidity of 80% to 90%. Excellent air circulation via mesh panels or small fans is vital to prevent stagnant conditions and bacterial build-up. Spray daily with reverse osmosis water, letting the surface dry slightly during the day.
Feeding and Supplementation: A voracious insectivore feeding on micro-prey such as Drosophila fruit flies (melanogaster and small hydei) and micro crickets. Supplement all prey with a high-quality calcium and vitamin D3 powder three times a week to prevent rickets and nutritional deficiencies.
Compatibility: Highly peaceful and tolerant of conspecifics, suitable for keeping in small groups or harems. Do not mix with other species of mantellas or amphibians to maintain genetic purity and prevent territorial stress.
Health and Common Diseases: Never handle these frogs with bare hands; skin oils, soap residues, and sweat can be highly toxic and cause rapid death. Snout injuries can occur if the frog panics and rubs against the glass. Keep the terrarium in a quiet room away from cigarette smoke and chemical sprays. Can live up to 10 years.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
A highly endemic and endangered species restricted to extreme northern Madagascar (Montagne des Français). It is a terrestrial inhabitant of seasonal dry forests and limestone karst formations, foraging in shaded leaf litter, damp crevices near slow-moving streams, and under tree roots.
Origin
Extra-Amazon South AmericaNorth AmericaAfrica and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- Insectivore
- Eat bugs. Feed daily. Add vitamins.
- Life expectancy
- 5-12 years
- The catalog uses 5–12 years as its concise reference range. AmphiBIO v1 instead reports a documented maximum longevity of 3 years for the species. An observed maximum is not the same as a typical expectation: specimen origin, sample size and husbandry conditions can explain differences among sources, so this figure should be read as a recorded limit rather than a promise of survival.
- Adult size
- 2.5 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 2.5 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 3.3 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- Need high humidity. Forage constantly. Stable temps.
- Activity cycle
- Diurnal
- Strictly diurnal. Morning peaks. 12h cycle.
- Sociality
- Gregarious
- Very active. Males defend. Add barriers.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breed in rain. Males call. Tads swim.
- Toxicity
- Harmless
- In its native habitat, Mantella viridis secretes potent lipophilic alkaloids from its skin as a defense mechanism against predators. These toxins are acquired entirely through their specialized diet of toxic wild arthropods. However, captive-bred individuals, or wild-caught specimens kept in captivity for extended periods, completely lose their toxicity due to the lack of these specific dietary precursors. Despite being harmless in captivity, it is always recommended to wear disposable gloves when handling them. This precaution is primarily to protect the frog's sensitive, permeable skin from the natural oils, salts, and potential chemicals present on human hands.
- Life stage
- For Mantella viridis, the life cycle begins with a small clutch of eggs laid in a dark, humid terrestrial or phytotelm (plant water) location. Once the eggs develop and hatch, the resulting tadpoles are meticulously transported on the back of a parent to a suitable rearing pool. The tadpoles develop in these small bodies of water over the course of two to three months. Following metamorphosis, tiny, fully-formed froglets emerge onto land, requiring consistently high humidity to survive. These froglets are extremely small and must be fed large quantities of microscopic prey, such as springtails, until they grow larger.
- Handling tolerance
- Display only
- Handling of Mantella viridis should be strictly avoided unless absolutely necessary for health inspections or transferring enclosures. Like all amphibians, they possess highly permeable, sensitive skin that quickly absorbs toxins, salts, and oils from human hands, which can be fatal. If a transfer is required, the safest and least stressful method is to gently coax the frog into a clean plastic catch cup rather than using your hands. If physical contact is entirely unavoidable, you must wear powder-free nitrile gloves thoroughly moistened with dechlorinated water. Even then, the interaction should be kept as brief as possible to minimize the severe physiological stress handling causes.
- Brumation
- Not required
- Originating from consistent tropical or subtropical environments, the Mantella viridis does not undergo a true brumation period. In their natural habitat, they experience relatively stable temperatures year-round, with environmental shifts primarily driven by wet and dry seasons rather than extreme cold. In captivity, it is critical to maintain steady, optimal temperatures and high humidity levels throughout the entire year. Exposing these amphibians to significant temperature drops can severely compromise their immune system and lead to respiratory or digestive failures. While a slight reduction in humidity and a few degrees of temperature drop can simulate a dry season to cycle breeders, severe cooling must be completely avoided.
- Molting
- Periodic
- Like all amphibians, the Mantella viridis undergoes a regular molting process to shed its outer layer of skin as it grows and to maintain skin health. This shedding process occurs frequently but is usually very rapid and highly secretive, meaning keepers rarely witness it occurring. The frog will typically contort its body, repeatedly open and close its mouth, and use its limbs to push the loosened skin forward over its head. Once the shed is removed, the frog will almost always consume the old skin to recycle valuable nutrients and proteins. Maintaining ideal humidity levels in the terrarium is paramount, as dry conditions can cause the skin to adhere, leading to deadly infections or restricted blood flow.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
