Climbing mantella (Mantella laevigata)

Short answers

Climbing mantella: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×40×60 cm (taller).

Climbing mantella: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 16–19 °C.

Climbing mantella: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2 %).

Climbing mantella: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Climbing mantella: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

16–19 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

85–95 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×60 cm (taller)

Substrate

Coco humus, moss, bamboo tubes and branch holes with water

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails, micro crickets

Feeding interval

daily

Key facts

Adult size

2.5–3 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

North-eastern Madagascar – rainforest

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

None

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

The only climbing Mantella: it lays its eggs in water-filled bamboo tubes, and the female feeds the tadpoles with nutritive eggs. It needs climbing structure and tubes rather than just floor area.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Baron's mantella (Mantella baroni) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Climbing mantella (Mantella laevigata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×60 cm (taller)), substrate (Coco humus, moss, bamboo tubes and branch holes with water), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.