One of the smallest species in the genus, Mantella milotympanum matures to size less than 23 mm (0.9 inches). They are solid red, with the exception of two black spots covering their tympanums and their brown and red patterned ventral side. M. milotympanum is only known from its type locality, located in east-central Madagascar, near the town of Fierenana. There, like other mantellas, they spend much of the year inactive during the dry season, coming back to life and feeding heavily when the rains arrive in January.
Other frogs, which appear to be M. milotympanum, have been found to both the south and north of their known populations. Most familiar to hobbyists is a frog that is lime green in color, except for black spots covering the tympanums, characteristic of M. milotympanum. Additional mantellas exist which are yellow or orange instead of red, but otherwise look like M. milotympanum.
One particularly interesting population of frogs consists of individuals that resemble M. milotympanum at one extreme and orange M. crocea at another, with most falling somewhere between the two in pattern and color. These intermediately patterned frogs reveal the very close relationship between both species, and it’s been suggested they may in fact be one.
Wild-caught M. milotympanum are seasonally available in the North American pet trade, although for many years they were only rarely available and often mislabeled as red M. aurantiaca by dealers and retailers. Captive breeding occurs infrequently, and captive-bred M. milotympanum are not often available. It has been noted by at least two hobbyists that wild-caught red M. milotympanum have produced mixed offspring of green, red, and orange, suggesting that some of the frogs in the pet trade come from variable populations, and not those near Fierenana.
M. milotympanum are bold in captivity, and very showy for such a small frog. Males call relentlessly after a heavy misting, and unlike some other species, females seem to be fairly outgoing as well. In captivity, they excavate tiny burrows beneath driftwood, piles of moss, and dried leaves, where females deposit eggs. Cool temperatures are necessary to maintain this species. Avoid those above 26°C (79°F) to prevent heat stress and death. During a simulated dry season, the temperature can fall as low as 15°C (59°F) without problems.
Mantella milotympanum Photo Gallery
Mantella cf. milotympanum Photo Gallery
Mantella cf. milotympanum Habitat
Please submit additional photographs to devin@amphibiancare.com
References
Schaefer, Hans-Christian, Migeul Vences, and Michael Veith. "Molecular Phylogeny of Malagasy Poison Frogs, Genus Mantella (Anura: Mantellidae): Homoplastic Evolution of Colour Pattern in Aposematic Amphibians." Organism Diversity & Evolution 2 (2002): 97-105.
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.
Vieites, D. R., F. E. C. Rabemananjara, P. Bora, B. Razafimahatratra, O. Ramilijaona Ravoahangimalala & M. Vences (2005): Distribution and population density of the black-eared Malagasy poison frog, Mantella milotympanum Staniszewski, 1996 (Amphibia: Mantellidae). 197-204 in: Huber, B. A. & K. H. Lampe (eds.): African Biodiversity: Molecules, Organisms, Ecosystems. Proc. 5th Intern. Symp. Trop. Biol., Museum Koenig, Bonn. Springer.
