Golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca)

Short answers

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

60×40×40 cm.

Golden mantella: What temperature does it need?

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

Golden mantella: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2 %).

Golden mantella: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Golden mantella: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C (COOL)

Night temperature

16–19 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

80–90 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×40 cm

Substrate

Coco humus with a thick layer of moss and leaf litter, a shallow water spot

Feeding

Food

Fruit flies, springtails, aphids, micro crickets

Feeding interval

daily

Key facts

Adult size

2–3 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Madagascar – the central plateau, peat bogs

Protection status

CITES II; IUCN "Endangered" – buy captive-bred animals only

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks

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

Brilliant orange, diurnal and ground-living – it looks like a poison dart frog, but is to be kept cooler: above 26 °C things get critical. Tiny food is needed, with vitamin and calcium dusting at every feed.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) 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
• Cowan's mantella (Mantella cowanii) – Intermediate
• Black-eared mantella (Mantella milotympanum) – Intermediate
• Yellow mantella (Mantella crocea) – Intermediate
• Green mantella (Mantella viridis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×40 cm), substrate (Coco humus with a thick layer of moss and leaf litter, 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.