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Closeup of Mantidactylus luteus in Nosy Mongabe, Madagascar It&#039;s taking me at least an hour per frog species to even find a species candidate, still an interesting category of wildlife to learn about. I&#039;ve based this identification on this reference image:<br />
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<a href="http://www.wildherps.com/species/M.luteus.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.wildherps.com/species/M.luteus.html</a><br />
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Furthermore, there is the pointy &quot;snout&quot; and ridges on its back which seem to match, as well as the distribution. I could still be wrong though, so feel free to challenge the identification. Note that this is a macro shot, here it is from a normal point of view, about the size of an average-sized leaf:<br />
<figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/33447/habitat_shot_of_mantidactylus_luteus_in_nosy_mongabe_madagascar.html" title="Habitat shot of Mantidactylus luteus in Nosy Mongabe, Madagascar"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2/33447_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=GTJLjkhuzuXMp2nrz83v4doDKik%3D" width="200" height="134" alt="Habitat shot of Mantidactylus luteus in Nosy Mongabe, Madagascar It&#039;s taking me at least an hour per frog species to even find a species candidate, still an interesting category of wildlife to learn about. I&#039;ve based this identification on this reference image:<br />
<br />
http://www.wildherps.com/species/M.luteus.html<br />
<br />
Furthermore, there is the pointy &quot;snout&quot; and ridges on its back which seem to match, as well as the distribution. I could still be wrong though, so feel free to challenge the identification. Closeup:<br />
http://www.jungledragon.com/image/33446/closeup_of_mantidactylus_luteus_in_nosy_mongabe_madagascar.html Africa,Geotagged,Madagascar,Madagascar North,Mantidactylus luteus,Nosy Mangabe,Spring,World" /></a></figure><br />
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Although the photo may not suggest it, these frogs are so well camouflaged that if you look away (for example to adjust camera settings), you will have trouble finding it again even if it has not moved. Their pattern messes with your sense of depth. Africa,Geotagged,Madagascar,Madagascar North,Mantidactylus luteus,Nosy Mangabe,Spring,World Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Closeup of Mantidactylus luteus in Nosy Mongabe, Madagascar

It's taking me at least an hour per frog species to even find a species candidate, still an interesting category of wildlife to learn about. I've based this identification on this reference image:

http://www.wildherps.com/species/M.luteus.html

Furthermore, there is the pointy "snout" and ridges on its back which seem to match, as well as the distribution. I could still be wrong though, so feel free to challenge the identification. Note that this is a macro shot, here it is from a normal point of view, about the size of an average-sized leaf:

Habitat shot of Mantidactylus luteus in Nosy Mongabe, Madagascar It's taking me at least an hour per frog species to even find a species candidate, still an interesting category of wildlife to learn about. I've based this identification on this reference image:<br />
<br />
http://www.wildherps.com/species/M.luteus.html<br />
<br />
Furthermore, there is the pointy "snout" and ridges on its back which seem to match, as well as the distribution. I could still be wrong though, so feel free to challenge the identification. Closeup:<br />
http://www.jungledragon.com/image/33446/closeup_of_mantidactylus_luteus_in_nosy_mongabe_madagascar.html Africa,Geotagged,Madagascar,Madagascar North,Mantidactylus luteus,Nosy Mangabe,Spring,World


Although the photo may not suggest it, these frogs are so well camouflaged that if you look away (for example to adjust camera settings), you will have trouble finding it again even if it has not moved. Their pattern messes with your sense of depth.

    comments (4)

  1. Very cool indeed Ferdy! I bet that gets annoying having to find them after altering camera settings and taking your eyes off them :) Posted 9 years ago
    1. Oh yes it does! I even learned myself to find a reference point before taking my eyes off the subject :) And there's usually a guide to help out. Posted 9 years ago
  2. Glaw & Vences (2007) confirms that this species is recorded from Nosy Mangabe. (Note that G&V have classified this as Gephyromantis luteus.) I agree with the identification. I also agree with how easy it is to lose one of these frogs just by taking your eyes off of it for an instant, and how hard it is to find it again when it jumps, even though you saw it jump and land. (I have another photo of this species where I mentioned the great camouflage at http://www.wildherps.com/travels/Madagascar2007/Maroantsetra_and_Masoala.html .) Posted 9 years ago, modified 9 years ago
    1. Yes! Another hit. And thank you for including that reference image of yours, it was in fact one that I came across in my search and how I discovered your site :) Posted 9 years ago

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''Mantidactylus luteus'' is a species of frog in the Mantellidae family. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Similar species: Frogs
Species identified by Ferdy Christant
View Ferdy Christant's profile

By Ferdy Christant

All rights reserved
Uploaded Nov 10, 2015. Captured Oct 1, 2015 10:04 in 5, Madagascar.
  • NIKON D800
  • f/7.1
  • 1/60s
  • ISO100
  • 105mm