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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Sierra Madre Forest Frog
Platymantis sierramadrensis
Endemic to the pristine Sierra Madre mountains of Luzon, this vulnerable frog is renowned for its incredible moss-like camouflage and unique direct-developing reproduction.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Ceratobatrachidae
Subfamily:Ceratobatrachinae
Genus:Platymantis
Species:Platymantis sierramadrensis
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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: This species is endemic to the Sierra Madre mountain range in northern and eastern Luzon, Philippines. It inhabits pristine montane and submontane tropical rainforests at elevations between 500 and 1,400 meters, preferring shaded, cool microclimates with dense ground cover.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Ceratobatrachidae and the genus Platymantis. It represents part of the island-endemic radiations characterized by direct-developing eggs. Eggs are laid in moist terrestrial microhabitats, bypass the free-swimming larval stage, and hatch into tiny frogs.
Behavior and Habits: Nocturnal and cryptic. It spends the daytime hidden in deep leaf litter or nestled within epiphytes. At night, it becomes active, with males ascending to low shrubs, ferns, or mossy tree trunks to call. Their call is a metallic clicking, primarily heard during wet periods.
Morphology: A medium-sized frog, with adult females reaching up to 40 mm. The dorsal skin is highly rugose and covered in small warts, mimicking moss or lichen. Coloration is highly variable, showcasing patterns of lichen-green, dark brown, and slate grey for camouflage.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A well-ventilated, vertical-oriented terrarium of at least 60x45x60 cm (24x18x24 inches) is required. Provide cork bark background panels, mossy branches, and live plants like Selaginella and tropical ferns. Substrate should consist of abioactive forest mix with leaf litter.
Lighting and Heating: Use low-strength UVB (2% to 5%) and full-spectrum LED lighting. Keep day temperatures between 20°C and 23°C (68°F-73°F). Standard room temperature is often too warm; air conditioning or cooling fans may be necessary. Do not allow temperatures to exceed 24°C (75°F).
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity between 85% and 95%. Mist the enclosure 2-3 times daily using distilled or reverse osmosis water. Provide a shallow, wide water dish filled with conditioned water, changed daily, as they absorb moisture through their belly skin.
Feeding and Supplementation: Feed a variety of live, gut-loaded insects such as small crickets, roach nymphs, and fruit flies. Dust prey items with pure calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 twice a week, and a complete herpetological multivitamin every two weeks.
Compatibility: Best kept in single-specimen enclosures or male-female pairs. Avoid keeping multiple males together in small setups due to territorial friction. Safe to house with micro-fauna clean-up crews like tropical springtails and dwarf isopods.
Health and Common Diseases: Heat stress is the most critical threat, leading to rapid death. Poor water quality and waterlogged substrates can cause bacterial dermatosis (Red Leg disease). Ensure the substrate drainage layer functions perfectly to prevent water stagnation.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species is endemic to the Sierra Madre mountain range in northern and eastern Luzon, Philippines. It inhabits pristine montane and submontane tropical rainforests at elevations between 500 and 1,400 meters, preferring shaded, cool microclimates with dense ground cover.
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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