Baron's mantella (Mantella baroni)

Short answers

Baron's mantella: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 60×40×40 cm for a pair; from 100×50×50 cm for the recommended group of 5–10 animals.

Baron's mantella: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night At night 3–4 °C below the daytime temperature; 15–18 °C during the dormancy period.

Baron's mantella: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2 %).

Baron's mantella: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Baron's mantella: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

At night 3–4 °C below the daytime temperature; 15–18 °C during the dormancy period

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

70–80 % during the day, near 100 % at night

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 60×40×40 cm for a pair; from 100×50×50 cm for the recommended group of 5–10 animals

Substrate

Coco humus, moss, leaf litter, roots, a shallow water spot

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails, micro crickets

Feeding interval

daily

Key facts

Adult size

2.5–3 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Eastern Madagascar – rainforest

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A rest period of at least 10 weeks at 15–18 °C, lighting under 12 hours, noticeably less misting

Cohabitation

Group (5–10 animals). Raise juveniles separately from adults. Not because they would be eaten — these animals are far too small for that — but because the larger ones get to the food first and the smaller ones fall behind. Provide enough hiding places so that every animal can retreat, and feed separately if there is a size difference.

Notes

Black-green with orange legs. A little more robust than M. aurantiaca and well available as captive-bred animals. Keep it cool and humid; heat build-up is the commonest cause of losses.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Baron's mantella (Mantella baroni) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bernhard's mantella (Mantella bernhardi) – Intermediate
• Blue-legged mantella (Mantella expectata) – Intermediate
• Betsileo mantella (Mantella betsileo) – Beginner
• Cowan's mantella (Mantella cowanii) – Intermediate
• Black-eared mantella (Mantella milotympanum) – Intermediate
• Yellow mantella (Mantella crocea) – Intermediate
• Golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) – Intermediate
• Green mantella (Mantella viridis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Baron's mantella (Mantella baroni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 60×40×40 cm for a pair; from 100×50×50 cm for the recommended group of 5–10 animals), substrate (Coco humus, moss, leaf litter, roots, a shallow water spot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.