Very robust in appearance, M. expectata can grow to 30 mm (1.2 inches). As their common name suggests, they exhibit blue legs. Their blue legs contrast with their dorsum, which is bright yellow, and the sides of their body, which are black. Often the yellow dorsum is instead a darker yellowish-green, and their legs a less attractive gray. This color variation seems to have less to do with individual variation, and more to do with the environmental conditions M. expectata are exposed to. In my experience, M. expectata most often display their brighter colors in captivity when temperatures are cool and the humidity level is low. At the start of the simulated wet season, an increase in temperature and humidity seem to encourage my captive M. expectata to become dull in appearance, with gray legs and a dark muddy yellow/green dorsum. Some have also suggested that their colors are an indicator of their health or mood, with excited males or healthy frogs showing brighter colors, and shy or unhealthy frogs expressing those that are dull.
The known distribution of M. expectata occurs in and around Isalo National Park, in the southwest of Madagascar. Here, they are reported to live in close proximity to seasonal streams, around rocky areas.
In recent years, wild-caught M. expectata have been available to hobbyists sporadically. Captive breeding is occasionally achieved, but is by no means common, and captive-bred frogs are only infrequently offered for sale.
M. expectata require slightly different care than other species. They do best in a fairly dry terrarium for much of the year. Access to water should be available so that the frogs remain hydrated, but the enclosure does not need to be misted frequently like it does for other Mantella species which require high levels of humidity most of the year. The substrate can also remain somewhat dry. Temperatures should range from 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 81°F), and can occasionally climb to near 30°C (86°F) during a simulated rainy season. It’s best to time the driest conditions with the coolest temperatures, and the wettest with the warmest temperatures of the year to attempt to recreate similar conditions to what wild M. expectata experience. They will eat food as large as two to three week old crickets, seeming to prefer these over smaller Drosophila.
Mantella expectata Photo Gallery
Please submit additional photographs to devin@amphibiancare.com
References
AmphibiaWeb: Information on amphibian biology and conservation. [web application]. 2007. Berkeley, California: AmphibiaWeb. Available: http://amphibiaweb.org/. (Accessed: Feb 21, 2007).
Andreone, Franco, V Mercurio, F Mattioli, and T J. Razafindrabe. "Good News for Three Critically Endangered and Traded Frogs From Madagascar." FROGLOG 72 (2005).
Vences, M., F. Glaw & W. Böhme (1999): A review of the genus Mantella (Anura, Ranidae, Mantellinae): taxonomy, distribution and conservation of Malagasy poison frogs. – Alytes 17 (1-2): 3-72.
