FEATURE | RAINBOWS IN Madagascar Madagascar now lies close to Africa.

burrowing is found, its forearms and digits have developed for climbing vertically on the stony walls of the canyons within the Isalo Massif where it is to be found. Meanwhile, the hind limbs are adapted for a completely different purpose: to allow the frog to burrow easily. They are very robust and are quite widely spaced for this purpose. Distribution and natural habitats Members of the genus ‡ The Madagascan rainbow burrowing frog was only became known to science in 1992. are Photo courtesy of Franco Andreone/http://calphotos.berkeley.edu found only on Madagascar, being forming the Scaphiophyrne genus today. It What makes this distributed all over the is also known as the red rain frog or species even more island in the different Rainbows in Gottlebe’s rainbow burrowing frog. unique though, when biotopes occurring The Madagascan rainbow burrowing compared with the there. As examples, the frog is typically a very small species, with others forming the green marbled females generally being slightly larger in Scaphiophyrne genus, is its burrowing frog size than males, measuring between 26-34 truly dramatic and incredibly () mm (1.02-1.34in) while males are beautiful colouration. This comes occurs in mid-elevation approximately 25-33mm (0.98-1.29in). in the form of bright to dark red rainforests in a small area of Madagascar Although this arrangement is not areas, and bright green dorsal patterns, east-central Madagascar, while the uncommon in other , what makes all separated by distinct jet black borders. ‡ The brown burrowing Madagascan burrowing frog (S. It’s been called – with the Madagascan rainbow burrowing frog Belonging to the (or frog displays the more madagascariensis) is adapted to higher subdued patterning and justification – the most different is that females are also believed narrow-mouthed frog) family, members colouration that is more montane habitats in the central plateau, to have brighter and more distinctive of the genus typically have a very short typical of the group. and Mocquard’s burrowing frog (S. beautiful on the colouration, compared with their male snout, with an incredibly small and Photo courtesy of Franco calcarata) inhabits the dryer forests and planet. Joshua Ralph counterparts that seem to be considerably narrow mouth as well. This is Andreone/http://calphotos. desert-like areas occurring in the west of paler. characteristically seen with other berkeley.edu the island. describes the Madagascan members of the family such as the African However, the Madagascan rainbow rainbow burrowing frog, desert frogs (Breviceps), another group burrowing frog (S. gottlebei) has a severely which is restricted to the The burrowing that are sometimes represented in ˆ The spiny burrowing restricted and fragmented range, lying collections. frog was the first member within the northern part of the Isalo of the group to be island of Madagascar, and frogs However, due to the nature of the discovered, back in 1882. Massif, in south-western Madagascar. reveals just why this habitat where the Madagascan rainbow Photo courtesy Axel Strauss. Some good news, however, is that † stunning and fascinating ■ Boribory burrowing frog species is facing an () – Vences, Raxworthy, Nussbaum & Glaw, 2003 increasingly uncertain ■ Madagascan rainbow burrowing frog future today. (Scaphiophyrne gottlebei) – Busse & Böhme, 1992 round 88 million years ago, after the ■ Brown burrowing frog (Scaphiophryne prehistoric supercontinent known as Gondwanaland had begun to brevis) - Boulenger, 1896 separate into pieces, a small chunk of ■ Mocquard’s burrowing frog Aland measuring 592,848 sq km (228,900 sq (Scaphiophryne calcarata) ml) in area started to drift away from what is – Mocquard, 1895 now India. This ultimately formed the island ■ Madagascan burrowing frog of Madagascar, which is positioned off the ‡ The landscape and rainforests and swamps, while the west and these habitats would be the main hotspots vegetation in Madagascar (Scaphiophyrne madagascarensis) southwest coast of Africa. is very varied. south is comprised of a mixture of arid for amphibian life on the island; however, Photo courtesy JialiangGao woodlands and forests, contrasting with this is not a true reflection of the situation. – Boulenger, 1882 Diversity www.peace-on-earth.org parched deserts. Remarkably, some species have even ■ Green marbled burrowing frog Today, it is regarded as one of the largest With this unique combination of adapted to live successfully in the most (Scaphiophyrne marmorata) and oldest islands on earth, and has had extended isolation and a varied landscape, hostile of environments occurring on the – Boulenger, 1882 more than enough time to create an life on Madagascar has evolved in a truly island. One such species is the Madagascan ■ amazing array of beautiful landscapes. The unique fashion, unparalleled elsewhere on rainbow burrowing frog (Scaphiophyrne Menabe burrowing frog diversity that exists on the island today is the planet. This is reflected by the island’s gottlebei) whose range is within the Isalo (Scaphiophyrne menabensis) – partly the result of its massive spine, formed wildlife, with nine out of every 10 species Massif National Park. Glos, Glaw and Vences, 2005 by a range of mountains that extend along resident there being unique. Among them ■ Spiny burrowing frog (Scaphiophyrne Natural history the island’s entire length, splitting it into are more than 500 different types of spinosa) – Steindachner, 1882 two. endemic , occurring in a wide First described just 23 years ago by ■ The result is that a diverse range of range of habitats and yet found nowhere German zoologists and herpetologists Matsoko burrowing frog unique environments can be encountered else on earth. Professor Dr Wolfgang Böhme and Dr (Scaphiophryne matsoko) – on Madagascar today. Eastern and northern From lush lowland rainforests to damp Klaus Busse, the Madagascan rainbow Raselimanana et al. 2014 parts of the island consist mainly of lush humid marshlands, you would think that burrowing frog is one of nine members

24 | Practical Reptile Keeping APRIL 2015 | 25 The habitat of the Madagascan rainbow burrowing frog is very distinctive.

Madagascar’s dramatic landscape differs, thanks in part to the central mountain range, as FEATURE | RAINBOWS IN Madagascar seen here from space. Photo courtesy of the author. following a large number of surveys, this species is now thought to occur over a ■ Pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum) slightly wider area than was initially ■ Lesser waxworms (Achroae grisella) believed. ■ Newly-hatched waxworms (Galleria mellonella) Their natural environment ■ Hatchling black crickets The Isalo National Park itself is home to (Gryllus assimilis) approximately 340 different species of Typical ■ Hatchling banded Fauna. Apart from its reptiles and temperature crickets amphibians, this area is home to several (Gryllodes sigillatus) types of lemur, including the well-known range Whenever possible, live ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta), which are Æ May to September foods should be dusted endemic to the region. This unique – 18-20°C (64-68°F) with a suitable vitamin landscape provides various and mineral supplement different biotopes, ranging Æ October to April and gut-loaded prior to from sandstone ruiniform – 22-27°C (71-81°F) being given to the rock stacks and deep amphibians. Some of these canyons to vast grasslands invertebrates, such as the tropical and palm-lined oases. dwarf woodlice can be included in Another striking the vivarium, helping to keep the species of amphibian substrate clean, often being referred to as can be found in the very ‘custodians’ for this reason. The frogs will same canyons, in and snap up individuals that cross their path, around the Isalo National just as would happen in the wild. Park. The blue-legged A pair of Madagascar pockmarked with golf ball-sized holes, and Particular care, though, should be taken mantella (Mantella rainbow burrowing frogs. these frogs may spend considerable time with crickets, because they can bite the Unusually, the male (top) expectata) lives in the vicinity is paler in colour than the wedged here, rather than burrowing into frogs and represent a hazard if they of the wet canyons and female. Photo courtesy of the ground or inhabiting some other remain uneaten in the vivarium. Never be seasonal streams where, during the author. secluded position. The species actually tempted to release a large number there the wet season, its spawn can be canyons. displays fossorial behaviour too, with – only provide crickets in very small found, having been deposited on top of These canyons adults often remaining buried during numbers, so they should all be eaten grassy tufts growing out of the limestone provide a cool and times of drought. Here they wait for the quickly by the frogs. walls above small pools of water. wet atmosphere, unlike the savannah respite provided by the wet season, when The Madagascan rainbow burrowing plains surrounding the region that are the rains return and they can not only take Temperature and humidity frog is partly rupicolous, meaning that it subject to strong seasonal thermal to water in temporary shallow pools but The temperature required depends on the thrives amongst rocks, and specifically extremes. also start to spawn. Figure 3 The vivid time of year that you wish to replicate in markings actually help to within rocky outcrops and narrow The rock walls of the canyons are often break up the frog’s the frogs’ quarters, as this does vary Accommodation outline. Photo courtesy of seasonally. However, seasonal The best type of accommodation for the author. adjustments are not a necessity, unless keeping any Scaphiophyrne species is an you wish to condition them for breeding all-glass vivarium. A wooden enclosure vivarium surroundings. Yet it would not be culture your own fruit flies quite easily, purposes. Relative humidity will also vary, with a glass front can be used, but unless too difficult to create a canyon-style with equipment and special food available depending on the season, but generally, the wood is fully waterproofed with a exhibit, enabling the species to behave in for this purpose. these amphibians should be kept within a sealant and resin, then it is likely to a more natural way, by using the following Among other suitable livefoods that ˆ Other members of the 40-50% humidity range, especially during become warped and misshapen quite materials: can be provided to these amphibians are: genus are less colourful, the drier seasons of the year. ■ ■ like the green burrowing rapidly, because of the humidity level Expanding foam. Tropical springtails (Folsomia candida) frog (Scaphiophryne required. The size of the enclosure will be ■ Polystyrene. ■ Tropical dwarf woodlice marmorata) seen here. A small frog with big problems influenced by the following factors: ■ Fine wire mesh. (Trichorina tomentosa) Photo courtesy of the author. Like a majority of the unique fauna and  1. How many individuals you have. ■ Concrete. 2. The ratio of the sexes. ■ Liquid fibreglass (resin A, styrene A 40cm (16in) cube vivarium would and hydrogen peroxide). house 3-4 individuals comfortably. A larger This is a subject that I will be returning 80cm (32in) enclosure will be needed for to in more detail in a future article, more than four individuals. Other methods covering the building of naturalistic of housing these shy and secretive terrariums. include storage containers known as Really Useful Boxes (RUBs), which have Feeding proved very useful for this purpose. They All Scaphiophyrne species are entirely are opaque, and this seems to encourage insectivorous in their feeding habits, and the frogs to come out of hiding places require a similar diet to that given to more readily than they do when housed poison dart frogs. They are fairly in enclosures incorporating clear glass in undemanding in terms of what they will their design. eat, with as much variety as possible being In spite of its name though, the recommended in any event. The main Madagascan rainbow burrowing frog requirement is that their food needs to be does not just spend time underground. small enough to be swallowed easily, This species occupies a wider range of although they will attempt to eat slightly The patterning of the microhabitats. After reading through bigger prey items. Madagascar rainbow many studies and researching into the A useful staple food is flightless fruit flies burrowing frog, seen natural habitats present within its range, it (Drosophila), which can be purchased from above. The markings are highly individual. appears that what yet to be attempted is easily by mail order, although if you want Photo courtesy of the author. to replicate the biotope of this species in to reduce your feeding costs, you can

26 | Practical Reptile Keeping APRIL 2015 | 27 FEATURE | RAINBOWS IN Madagascar

flora found on the island, the Madagascan rainbow burrowing frog is threatened with the risk of extinction for a wide range of potential reasons. Some of these are specific, while others are more general. They include: ■ Habitat loss thanks to logging. ■ Habitat loss due to sapphire mining. ■ Habitat loss as the result of fires and cattle grazing. ■ Tourism and associated disturbance/ habitat loss. ■ Over-harvesting for the pet trade. ■ Globally spread infectious diseases such as chytridiomycosis. Care matters The impact of collection for the pet trade is unclear. As a precautionary measure, it was decided that an annual export quota of 1000 specimens was established in 2006 by the government. The aim was to collect more data on wild populations. However, it has since been noted that, instead of the highly secretive adults being caught for this purpose, it is the juvenile specimens that are being collected more frequently because they ˆ The blue-legged rarely appear to live for more than two does not mean that it cannot be bred in are much easier to find. They tend not to mantella shares the arid years. They often reproduce successfully in collections; it should be entirely possible if Isalo Massif with the burrow away to the same extent. This may Madagascan rainbow their first year as adults, and then further detailed studies emanating from be better though, as it is the adult frogs burrowing frog. subsequently fade away, for reasons that the wild are carried out, to give a better that are significant for maintaining the Photo courtesy of the author. are currently unclear. It is possible that this understanding of the reproductive overall population. could be the result of an inadequate diet biology of these frogs. As with most of the genus, there is in some respects. actually very little information on many The species has also proved to be Conclusion aspects of the biology of the Madagascan difficult to breed, with successes only Much work is still needed to help these rainbow burrowing frog, and in particular, ˆ Suitable and basic reported from a couple of zoological simply amazing and beautiful amphibians. their longevity. It has been thought that exhibit for most of the institutions. Yet again, this is mainly It is not just the hope of zoological Scaphiophryne genus, this would typically extend from around using a PUB as the attributed to the lack of knowledge about collections but also conservation four to 15 years. housing container. both the behaviour and also the organisations working in Madagascar that However, those kept in collections Photo courtesy of the author. reproductive cycle of the species. But this private hobbyists will do everything they can to make sure that the species within this genus are not only kept and bred responsibly within vivarium surroundings, but also that awareness is raised about this particular species. As hobbyists, we should make more of an effort to record our husbandry techniques and share this with the broader amphibian community, ensuring a future for the Madagascar rainbow burrowing frog in private collections that involves self-sustaining populations. The knowledge gained can then be used to assist its survival – and that of other species too – in its homeland. ✥

Share your experience

* Have you kept and bred any Scaphiophryne species successfully? Share your experiences – contact prk. [email protected]. Equally, if you’ve bred any other less common species of reptile and amphibian, do get in touch.

28 | Practical Reptile Keeping SEPTEMBER 2014 | PB