Mantella nigricans is a medium-sized mantella, growing to 28 mm (1.1 inches). They are attractively marked in green, brown, and black. At least two distinct color morphs exist, one having a green head, which disintegrates into brown halfway down the dorsum, the other with an entirely black or dark brown head and dorsum, with only green blotches at the insertion of the limbs. Within its wide distribution in northern Madagascar, M. nigricans lives alongside streams in lowland forests.

M. nigricans is only rarely available, seeming to have been exported in very small numbers when compared to other species. Captive breeding has been reported by at least one person, but captive-bred frogs are not generally available.

Captive M. nigricans are somewhat reclusive, with males often calling half-hidden under dried leaves in the terrarium. When out and exposed though they are bold, refusing to hop away even when a hand is in the terrarium doing some maintenance. They seem to prefer crickets and Drosophila hydei to the smaller Drosophila melanogaster. M. nigricans does well within a wide range of temperatures, with those from 19°C to 26°C (66°F to 79°F) being suitable.

Mantella nigricans Photo Gallery

Submit additional photographs to devin@amphibiancare.com

References

IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe. 2006. Global Amphibian Assessment. . 8 March 2007.

Staniszewski, Marc. Mantellas. 1st ed. Frankfurt: Chimaira, 2001.

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.