Amphibian atlas

Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is endemic to Tablas Island in the central Philippines. It primarily inhabits pristine lowland tropical rainforests and secondary growth forests, often found near forest streams, dry rocky stream beds, and shaded karst limestone areas at elevations up to 300 meters.

Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Ceratobatrachidae and the genus Platymantis. The specific epithet levigatus refers to its unusually smooth dorsal skin, which distinguishes it from most other textured Platymantis species. It exhibits direct development without an aquatic larval phase.

Behavior and Habits: Nocturnal and terrestrial. It spends the day hiding under damp rocks, rotting logs, or buried in moist soil. At night, it emerges to forage on the forest floor. Males call from rock crevices, low vegetation, or ground level near water sources during rainy periods.

Morphology: A medium-sized frog with a noticeably smooth back compared to its highly textured congeners. The dorsal coloration ranges from grayish-brown to olive-brown, sometimes featuring dark symmetrical patterns or a light vertebral stripe running down the center of the back.

Terrarium Setup: A horizontally oriented or mixed terrarium measuring at least 60x40x40 cm (24x16x16 inches) is ideal. The substrate should be a deep, moist mix of peat moss and coco fiber, decorated with limestone rocks to simulate karst topography, and topped with leaf litter.

Lighting and Heating: Provide moderate LED lighting for live plants and a low-intensity (2%) UVB source. Maintain daytime temperatures between 22°C and 26°C (72°F-79°F), with a night drop of 3-4 degrees. Ensure temperatures do not exceed 27°C (80°F) to avoid thermal stress.

Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity between 80% and 90%. Mist the enclosure daily using reverse osmosis or distilled water. Provide a shallow, low-profile water dish filled with clean, dechlorinated water for hydration, as this species does not swim well.

Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly insectivorous. Feed a variety of live, gut-loaded insects such as small crickets, roach nymphs, mealworms, and springtails. Dust prey with calcium and D3 supplements twice weekly, and a comprehensive reptile multivitamin every two weeks.

Compatibility: Can be kept in pairs or small harems consisting of one male and multiple females. Males are territorial and should not be housed together in small enclosures. Compatible with clean-up crew organisms like springtails and dwarf tropical isopods.

Health and Common Diseases: Highly susceptible to dehydration and skin infections if substrate hygiene is poor. Ensure adequate ventilation via screen vents to prevent stagnant, moldy air, and spot-clean the enclosure regularly to remove wastes and mold.