Golden Mantella

Golden frog
Conservation status
Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
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.

Description

As suggested by the name, the Golden Mantella has an aqua/chartruse dorsal surface.^{[clarification needed]} 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.

Ecology and behavior

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.^{[citation needed]}

As a pet

It is kept as a pet, though it has to be handled carefully.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Golden Mantella". Archived from the original on 2006-05-14. http://web.archive.org/web/20060514124741/http://www.eriezoo.org/golden_mantella.htm. Retrieved 2006-06-04. 

• Helixpro: Mantellas
• ARKive Golden frog (red form) photo