| GREEN MANTELLA |
| Mantella viridis |
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Range: |
Endemic to Madagascar. |
Green Mantella are mostly green, although some appear more yellow in color. A black mask wraps around the face with a white band around the top lip. The underside is black with blue speckles. Females are larger and more plump, and have a more square snout.
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| Habitat: |
They inhabit dry lowland forest, typically around streambeds. |
| Diet: |
Small insects like ants and fruit flies. They also eat soft fallen fruits. |
| Status: |
Endangered, and threatened by habitat loss. |
| Approximate Dimensions of Adult: |
Weight: 1.5 - 3 grams.
Length: Up to 1.2 inches. |
| Lifespan: |
5 - 10 years. |
| Reproduction & Offspring: |
Males attract females by calling out very short notes that are composed of two short clicks. 15 - 60 greenish-yellow eggs are laid in cavities under rocks and in the trunks of dead trees. They hatch into tadpoles during heavy rainfall, which washes them into small pools of water where they eat algae. The tadpoles grow to a size of 28 millimeters and undergo metamorphosis after 45 - 65 days. |
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