Green mantella (Mantella viridis)

Short answers

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

60×40×40 cm.

Green mantella: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 21–26 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 17–20 °C.

Green mantella: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2 %).

Green mantella: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Green mantella: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

21–26 °C

Night temperature

17–20 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×40 cm

Substrate

Coco humus, leaf litter, stones, 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

Northern Madagascar – dry forest

Protection status

CITES II; IUCN "Endangered"

Brumation

A 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

From drier forests than the other Mantella species – it takes a little less humidity, but needs a clear dry phase to stimulate breeding.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Green mantella (Mantella viridis) 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
• Golden mantella (Mantella aurantiaca) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Green mantella (Mantella viridis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×40 cm), substrate (Coco humus, leaf litter, stones, 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.