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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Isarog Forest Frog
Platymantis isarog
A beautifully small, exceptionally specialized montane frog strictly endemic to Mount Isarog, Luzon, uncompromisingly requiring constant cool temperatures, highly humid air, and arboreal vegetation.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Ceratobatrachidae
Subfamily:Ceratobatrachinae
Genus:Platymantis
Species:Platymantis isarog
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 90 %
Day temperature
24 - 28 °C
Night temperature
20 - 23 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the montane mossy forests of Mount Isarog, an active volcano located in the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon Island, Philippines. It occurs at high elevations, typically above 900 meters, where it occupies the understory vegetation, ferns, and moss-covered trees.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A member of the family Ceratobatrachidae and the genus Platymantis. It belongs to the group of Philippine cloud forest frogs that undergo direct development, meaning the eggs develop directly into fully formed terrestrial froglets, bypassing the aquatic tadpole phase.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal and semi-arboreal. During the day, it retreats into moist leaf axils, epiphytes, or hollow branches. At night, males emerge to perch on leaves and low twigs up to 1.5 meters high, emitting short, high-pitched vocalizations to advertise territories.
Morphology: A very small frog, measuring approximately 20-30 mm in snout-vent length. It exhibits a slender body, large eyes, and expanded pads on its digits for gripping vertical, wet plant surfaces. The dorsal skin is olive-green or grayish-brown, providing perfect camouflage.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a tall, vertically oriented vivarium of at least 45x45x60 cm. Incorporate live broad-leafed plants (such as bromeliads, ferns, and pothos), climbing branches, and a moisture-retaining substrate like forest soil topped with thick sphagnum moss.
Lighting and Heating: Provide low-output UVB (2%) and LED lighting for live plants. This high-altitude species requires cool temperatures, ranging from 19°C to 23°C (66°F-73°F) during the day, with a night drop to 16°C-17°C (60°F-62°F). Avoid temperatures above 25°C (77°F).
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high relative humidity levels of 85% to 95%. Automated misting systems using reverse osmosis water are highly recommended. Good ventilation via mesh tops or dual-vent designs is essential to prevent air stagnation and mold growth.
Feeding and Supplementation: Feeds on small, live invertebrates. Offer flightless fruit flies, pinhead crickets, bean beetles, and springtails. Dust all prey items with pure calcium carbonate and D3 twice a week, and use a reptile multivitamin supplement once a month.
Compatibility: Can be housed in small groups of one male and multiple females if space is sufficient. Avoid housing multiple males together in small spaces due to territorial calling stress. Do not mix with larger frogs or aggressive terrarium species.
Health and Common Diseases: Vulnerable to lethal heat stress if temperatures exceed their montane threshold. Dirty conditions combined with low airflow can lead to systemic bacterial infections (Red Leg). Ensure strict cleanliness and stable environmental parameters.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Endemic to the montane mossy forests of Mount Isarog, an active volcano located in the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon Island, Philippines. It occurs at high elevations, typically above 900 meters, where it occupies the understory vegetation, ferns, and moss-covered trees.
Origin
South and Southeast Asia
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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