Cowan's mantella (Mantella cowanii)

Short answers

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

50×40×50 cm for a group, planted.

Cowan's mantella: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 17–22 °C, basking spot No basking spot — direct heat is harmful, at night 13–16 °C.

Cowan's mantella: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Weak UVB recommended (UVB 2.0).

Cowan's mantella: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Cowan's mantella: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

17–22 °C

Night temperature

13–16 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot — direct heat is harmful

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Weak UVB recommended (UVB 2.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×40×50 cm for a group, planted

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter and a shallow water section

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, fruit flies and firebrats, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

2,0–2,6 cm

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

Central Madagascar

Protection status

CITES II, IUCN "Endangered" — proof of origin required

Brumation

A cool rest of 8–10 weeks at 12–15 °C

Cohabitation

Group housing possible. 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

A highland species from near streams, to be kept very cool. Populations badly reduced by collecting.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Cowan's mantella (Mantella cowanii) in the marketplace →

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
• 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 Cowan's mantella (Mantella cowanii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×40×50 cm for a group, planted), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter and a shallow water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.