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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Cave-dwelling Forest Frog
Platymantis spelaeus
A remarkably specialized troglophilic frog species that is strictly restricted to the dark limestone caves and intricate karst formations located exclusively on Negros Island, Philippines.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Ceratobatrachidae
Subfamily:Ceratobatrachinae
Genus:Platymantis
Species:Platymantis spelaeus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 90 %
Day temperature
24 - 28 °C
Night temperature
22 - 24 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is strictly endemic to the southern portion of Negros Island in the Philippines. It is a highly specialized cave-dwelling (troglophilic) and rock-dwelling (rupicolous) frog, inhabiting limestone caves, karst formations, and surrounding wet forests.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Ceratobatrachidae and the genus Platymantis. It represents an evolutionary transition toward cave life. It reproduces via direct development, depositing eggs within damp rock fissures and deep crevices where they hatch directly into froglets.
Behavior and Habits: Nocturnal and rupicolous. It is an exceptional climber, spending its time on vertical cave walls and within rock crevices. Males vocalize from deep inside limestone cavities, which acts as a natural megaphone to amplify their calls throughout the cave system.
Morphology: A medium-sized frog (30-40 mm) with large, prominent eyes adapted to low-light cave conditions. It has long limbs and wide, flattened digital discs on its fingers and toes for gripping wet rock surfaces. Dorsal color is grayish-brown, resembling limestone rock.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a tall vertical terrarium measuring at least 50x50x80 cm (20x20x32 inches). Set up the vivarium to mimic a karst cave wall using safe, secured limestone structures, cork bark tubes, and shade-tolerant plants like mosses and tropical ferns.
Lighting and Heating: Provide very dim, indirect lighting. Strong light must be avoided. A 2% UVB lamp should be mounted outside the mesh top. Keep temperatures cool and stable, between 20°C and 23°C (68°F-73°F) year-round. Avoid any sudden heating or high basking temperatures.
Humidity and Hydration: Extremely high relative humidity of 90% to 95% is critical. Regular misting or the use of an ultrasonic fogger is required to mimic cave dampness. The bottom substrate must be well-drained to prevent pooling water from turning sour.
Feeding and Supplementation: Insectivorous diet of active crickets, roaches, and flies. Because this species lives in deep caves with minimal sunlight, dusting all prey items with high-quality calcium and vitamin D3 at every feeding is mandatory to prevent bone disease.
Compatibility: Best housed individually or in breeding pairs. Do not keep multiple males in the same terrarium as they will compete aggressively for calling sites. Not suitable for cohabitation with active diurnal species or those requiring dry, warm climates.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly sensitive to temperature spikes and light stress. Fungal infections (such as chytrid) and bacterial dermatosis are major risks in stagnant environments. Ensure low but constant airflow through the enclosure to maintain skin health.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species is strictly endemic to the southern portion of Negros Island in the Philippines. It is a highly specialized cave-dwelling (troglophilic) and rock-dwelling (rupicolous) frog, inhabiting limestone caves, karst formations, and surrounding wet forests.
Origin
South and Southeast AsiaEast Asia
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 6.05 cm
- 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
The catalog's scalar value is 6.05 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 6.05 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.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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