Green mantella frogs join Deep Blue One exhibit

We've had some tiny new residents arrive at The Deep. At only 2.5 centimetres they're only about the size of a 10 pence piece but well worth watching out for.

These Green Mantella frogs have only been found living in Madagascar and their numbers are declining, putting them in the Endangered section of the IUCN Red List. The main threat they face is due to the loss of their habitat due to fires, logging and the selection of firewood, and livestock grazing. They also face a threat from the deadly Chytrid fungus, which infects the frogs' skin. Breeding programmes and research into eradicating the Chytrid fungus are underway to try and protect this species.

The adults are mainly green, sometimes with a bit of yellow. Younger green mantellas can range from yellow to brown to almost red, with a darker pattern on their back. Juveniles will achieve their adult colours at 8 to 12 months of age. 

See the Green Mantella frogs in the Deep Blue One area of the attraction.