Biology

The black-eared mantella is a shy frog that calls frequently, loudly and at length from under leaf litter. It is semi-nocturnal and eats insects. Breeding is seasonal, occurring just before the rains. The black-eared mantella lays tiny eggs on land in groups of around 20. If fertilised, they develop into tadpoles which are washed into swamps by rain (1) (2). Fertilisation may happen immediately after deposition, or up to two days later, by one or more males (2).