# Golden Mantella (*Mantella aurantiaca*) The Golden Mantella is a bright yellow frog that loves to hop around in the rainforests of Madagascar. Its beautiful color helps it stand out in the lush green surroundings. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Rainforests ![Golden Mantella](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Golden_mantella.JPG&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Golden_mantella.JPG) ## Appearance The Golden Mantella is a strikingly small frog, renowned for its brilliant golden-orange to deep orange-red coloration. Its smooth, moist skin lacks patterns, making its vibrant hue especially prominent and different from many camouflaged frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Mantellidae - **Genus:** Mantella ## Interesting facts - Its stunning orange glow is a direct warning to predators: 'I taste bad!' - Mantella tadpoles develop on land and are washed into forest pools by heavy rainfall! - They are one of the most critically endangered frogs on the entire planet! - This tiny frog lives only in a few very small rainforest patches in Madagascar! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Warning:** Golden Mantella has bright skin colors that act as a visual warning, telling predators it contains toxic compounds. - **Skin Breather:** Golden Mantella can breathe through its moist skin, which helps it absorb oxygen underwater and on land. - **Land Egg-Layer:** Golden Mantella lays its eggs on land, protected under leaves, which helps keep them safe until rainfall washes tadpoles into water. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 2-3.1 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-8 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 12-50 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding A tiny insect hunter, feasting on small bugs like ants and mites found on the forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** Ants, Termites, Fruit flies, Mites, Small beetles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Big-headed Ant (*Pheidole megacephala*) — A common ant species and primary food source. - **Eats:** Madagascar Termite (*Microtermes globicola*) — Eats various small termites found on the forest floor. - **Eaten by:** Madagascar Hognose Snake (*Leioheterodon madagascariensis*) — A common predator of small frogs in Madagascar. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always wash your hands after touching frogs, as some can be sensitive to skin oils. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Golden Mantella? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Golden Mantella? 2-3.1 cm ### How much does Golden Mantella weigh? 0.003-0.01 kg ### How long does Golden Mantella live? 5-8 years ### How fast can Golden Mantella move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Golden Mantella eat? A tiny insect hunter, feasting on small bugs like ants and mites found on the forest floor. ### Where is Golden Mantella usually found? Rainforests ### How does Golden Mantella hunt? Foraging ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Golden Mantella: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/golden-mantella)