Boulenger's Digging Frog
Plethodontohyla inguinalis
A specialized microhylid frog (9.5 cm) native to Northern and eastern Madagascar (Primary rainforests). Characterized by its gigantic body size for the family and fossorial, leaf-litter dwelling habits.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
60 - 80 %
Temperatura diurna
24 - 28 °C
Temperatura noturna
20 - 24 °C
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Northern and eastern Madagascar (Primary rainforests). It primarily occurs in the leaf litter of primary rainforests at submontane and lower hill elevations. It lives mostly concealed within leaf litter or burrowed inside moist soils.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the Microhylidae family, genus Plethodontohyla. This group consists of narrow-mouthed frogs highly adapted to specific fossorial or semi-arboreal microhabitats.
Behavior and Habits: Primarily nocturnal and secretive. It spends the daytime hours buried under the substrate or hidden beneath leaf litter, emerging to forage and breed during heavy seasonal rains.
Morphology: Features a plump, rounded body reaching about 9.5 cm. Skin texture ranges from smooth to warty with cryptic colors. Males are smaller than females and exhibit distinct vocal sacs during the breeding season.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium Setup: Provide a horizontal terrarium with a deep (10-15 cm) layer of loose, damp substrate such as coconut fiber and sterile peat moss. Add cork bark hides, dry leaves, and flat shelters to create shaded spots.
Lighting and Heating: Maintain daytime temperatures around 24.0°C and night temperatures at 20.0°C. Provide a 12-hour light cycle; a low-intensity UVB source is recommended to support general health.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity between 75.0% and 90.0%. Mist regularly with dechlorinated water and supply a very shallow water dish to prevent drowning risks.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly insectivorous. Offer gutloaded crickets, roaches, fruit flies, and small worms. Dust prey with high-quality calcium and vitamin D3 twice a week to support skeletal structure.
Compatibility: Best kept in a species-specific setup. Small groups of similar size can cohabitate, avoiding competition or accidental cannibalism.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly susceptible to bacterial skin infections (red leg disease) if ventilation is poor or the substrate is soiled. Regularly check skin condition and hydration levels.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Native to Northern and eastern Madagascar (Primary rainforests). It primarily occurs in the leaf litter of primary rainforests at submontane and lower hill elevations. It lives mostly concealed within leaf litter or burrowed inside moist soils.
Origem
África e Madagascar
Perfil anfíbio
- Dieta
- Insectivore
- In the wild, they feed primarily on small insects and invertebrates found in the leaf litter. In captivity, a diet of appropriately sized crickets, fruit flies, and springtails is recommended. Supplements with calcium and vitamins should be provided regularly to ensure proper bone health.
- Expectativa de vida
- 5-10 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 10 cm
- Estilo de vida/Microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- They are largely terrestrial or semi-fossorial, spending much of their time on the forest floor. They require a highly humid environment with plenty of hiding spots. A bioactive setup with live plants and a deep substrate is ideal for their captive lifestyle.
- Ciclo de atividades
- Nocturnal
- These amphibians are primarily nocturnal, becoming active after dusk to forage and mate. During the day, they remain hidden to conserve moisture and avoid predators. High humidity levels can occasionally prompt some daytime activity.
- Socialidade
- Gregarious
- They are generally secretive and prefer to stay hidden under debris or within the leaf litter. They can be quite vocal during the breeding season, calling from concealed locations. They are mostly docile but will attempt to flee if disturbed.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- These frogs typically breed during the rainy season. Females lay their eggs in moist terrestrial environments or phytotelmata. The tadpoles develop within these small water bodies until they metamorphose into froglets.
- Toxicidade
- Harmless
- Plethodontohyla inguinalis is not considered highly toxic to humans, lacking the potent skin secretions found in poison dart frogs. However, like most amphibians, it can excrete mild defensive secretions from its skin when stressed or threatened. These secretions can cause irritation if they come into contact with mucous membranes, cuts, or eyes, making proper hygiene essential. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after handling the enclosure or the amphibian to prevent cross-contamination.
- Estágio de vida
- Adult only
- The life cycle of Plethodontohyla inguinalis generally includes distinct stages: an aquatic larval phase (tadpole) and a terrestrial adult phase. After hatching from eggs laid in temporary pools, water-filled phytotelmata, or moist environments, the tadpoles undergo metamorphosis to develop limbs and lungs. Once metamorphosis is complete, the miniature froglets emerge onto land, where they will forage and grow into their adult forms. Adulthood is typically reached within one to two years, after which they focus on feeding and reproducing during the wet seasons.
- Tolerância de tratamento
- Display only
- Handling Plethodontohyla inguinalis should be kept to an absolute minimum to avoid causing the animal undue stress and potential physical injury. Their skin is extremely delicate, highly permeable, and can easily absorb toxins, oils, or soap residues from human hands. If handling is unavoidable, such as for a health inspection or enclosure cleaning, always wear moistened powder-free nitrile gloves. They may attempt to leap unexpectedly or excrete a defensive fluid when stressed, so they should be held securely but gently over a soft surface.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- Brumation or aestivation in Plethodontohyla inguinalis is often a response to extreme dry seasons or unfavorable environmental conditions in their native habitats. During periods of prolonged drought, they will burrow deep into the substrate to conserve precious moisture and avoid desiccation. They remain in this dormant state, drastically reducing their metabolic rate until the monsoon rains return to soften the ground. In captivity, unless aiming to cycle them for breeding, it is usually unnecessary to induce this state; maintaining consistent humidity keeps them active.
- Muda
- Periodic
- Like all amphibians, Plethodontohyla inguinalis periodically sheds its outer layer of skin as it grows and to maintain optimal skin health and permeability. The molting process is typically brief and often goes unnoticed by keepers because it usually occurs covertly during the nighttime hours. During the shed, the frog will contort its body to loosen the old skin and will use its limbs to push the sloughed skin forward towards its mouth. They then consume the shed skin, a common behavior that helps recycle valuable nutrients and conceals their presence from potential predators.
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