Description: A small colorful, fossorial frog from arid hilly areas of south central Madagascar. Maximum size is 1" to 1 ½", females get a bit larger than males. The background color is white with red, yellow, green and black markings, belly is grayish. It has adhesive toe pads but does not seem to climb much. Mostly nocturnal but may be active during the day. Stays buried most of the time.

Temperature: 70° to 80°F daytime with about a 5° drop at night.

Humidity: Not important, but the substrate must never be allowed to dry out completely.

Lighting: Plant lights are necessary for live plants, use a timer, 12 hours on / 12 hours off. Seasonal day length fluctuations are not needed but could help to stimulate breeding. A dim night light is required for viewing nocturnal activities.

Feeding: Small crickets and fruit flies are fine as a staple diet but a variety of other appropriately sized insects should be offered. A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given once a week for adults and more often for young, growing frogs. Adults tend to be gluttons so only feed them 2 or 3 times a week. Juveniles should be fed daily. Provide a shallow water dish and clean it daily.

Habitat: A 10-gallon tank is sufficient for a small group of these inactive, burrowing frogs. A fossorial type habitat is needed with areas of loose, damp, sandy substrate. Plants, rocks and logs etc can be added and various hiding places should be available. Keep the substrate damp but not soggy.

Estivation: In the wild, these frogs stay underground during the hot, dry season.

Sexing: Females are larger and heavier than males and often have brighter colors.

Breeding: A cycle of drought followed by flooding has given the most success. Allow the enclosure to dry out for 6 to 8 weeks, continuing to maintain some moisture in the substrate. Simulate a flash flood by adding enough warm water to submerge most of the substrate and create a shallow pool in one area. Up to 500 eggs may be laid in floating clumps that will hatch in approximately 30 days. Keep the water about 75 to 80°F. Tadpoles will eat tropical fish food and grow to about 1" before metamorphosing 3 to 4 weeks after hatching.The tiny froglets are quite hardy and will grow fast if well fed. Keep them at 70 to 75°F and they should reach adulthood in about a year.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna