Tim Mayer
Captive Care They are distributed around the northern tip of Madagascar, from a few localities south of Antsiranana including Montagne des Francais. M. viridis make excellent subjects for your vivarium, although I must confess I have found the breeding a little more than difficult. The frogs are kept in a well-planted vivarium, using various bromeliads (V. epinosae, Guzmania spp.) and plants like creeping fig, snake eyes and prayer plants (Maranta spp.). M. viridis are mainly terrestrial climbing only occasionally. I have found this species to be fairly shy, with the frogs tending to hide in the under growth. However it is a different story at meal times. |
When keeping M. viridis I have found that the frogs can get quite stressed when kept at high temperatures for long periods. For this reason I recommend that this species should be kept somewhere around 70°F, but no higher then the mid 70s and no lower then the mid 60s. The humidity level should be around the 80% mark. A light misting every day can achieve this.
My frogs are fed daily, and they will consume anything that they can overpower. I feed mine on crickets (up to 8mm), fruit flies and aphids when available. All the foods are dusted 4 times a week with a 50/50 mix of pure calcium and Nutrobal.
Breeding
Courtship
between my Mantellas has been observed and the males actively vocalise.
However, no egg deposition has followed. It has been noted that some
people recommend the use of a running water system as a necessity for successful
pairing with this species. I'm beginning to agree.
The egg clutches are reported to vary from around 15 to 60 eggs, each with a diameter of about 2mm. They are greenish-yellow in colour and should hatch within a couple of days. Apparently, the tadpoles can be quite cannibalistic so should either be separated or kept in relatively small groups. They can be fed on a mixture of fish-flakes (dusted and ground up), blanched spinach and parsley. It is recommended that the tadpoles be kept at 74°F (Staniszewski). Metamorphosis is completed within 45 to 65 days, with the tadpoles reaching a maximum size of 28mm.