Frogs

amphibians, Madagascar has produced an almost incalculable variety of frogs: more than 400 species have been described so far and new ones are constantly being added.

Considering the sometimes extremely small distribution area of some species (the Gold Frog Mantella auritiaca, for example, lives in only one swamp area in Analamazoatra), we can still expect all kinds of exciting new discoveries, since the exploration of this animal genus is far from complete.

Except for two species, the frogs of Madagascar are all endemic (to 99%). Fossil finds prove that already 200 million years ago frogs hopped over Madagascar's earth.

Of particular charm, relatively common and therefore particularly interesting for the Madagascar traveler are the colorful Mantella frogs. The Mantella frogs today form a separate family, the Mantellidae. The family is divided into three subfamilies and five genera. Until today about 150 (!) different species have been counted

The best known Mantella species are the distinctly colorful Mantella madagascariensis and the famous Andasibe golden frog Mantella aurantiaca.

In addition, there are numerous other frog species on Madagascar, whose description is omitted here in view of the abundance of information. Interested travelers will find plenty of information in "Glaw&Vences, Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar", Glaw Verlag Bonn.

Merely mentioned are:

• Stumpffia pygmea, the smallest frog with 12 mm body length
• Boophis luteus, the biggest frog of the red island with exceptionally more than 50 cm body length
• Dyscophus antongil, the famous tomato frog