| Golden frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Lissamphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Suborder: | Neobatrachia |
| Family: | Mantellidae |
| Subfamily: | Mantellinae |
| Genus: | Mantella |
| Species: | M. aurantiaca |
| Binomial name | |
| Mantella aurantiaca (Mocquard, 1900) |
|
The Golden Mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) is a small, terrestrial frog endemic to Madagascar.
Contents |
As suggested by the name, the Golden Mantella has an aqua/chartruse dorsal surface. The ventral surface is yellow in females, and a lighter yellow in the males. The inside of the thigh occasionally exhibits bright red colouring. These frogs are small, reaching a size of 2.5 cm (1 in) in length. The tympanum is visible, but small. Their brightly colored skin warns their predators that they are very poisonous.[1]. There is also a red form.
The Golden Mantellas do not have a particular mating season; they will mate after rain and if enough food is available. The males will call in a concealed position near a water source. The call is a series of three clicks, repeated many times. Once the females is amplexed, they will move towards a suitable area, and lay eggs. They lay eggs on moist land, and the tadpoles are washed into water once they hatch.[1]
The Golden Mantella is a small frog, and as such, is restricted to a diet of small invertebrates.[1] They live at an altitude of about 900 m.
It is kept as a pet, though it has to be handled carefully.