geographical distribution and presumed large population. The IUCN Red List previously listed it as near-threatened in 2004 and 2008. Despite its listing, the climbing mantella population is suspected to be decreasing. Regions of Madagascar outside of protected reserves are at increased risk of deforestation. Greater demand for cattle grazing areas, farmland, and space to build cities may jeopardize the climbing mantella’s natural habitat. Currently, the international pet trade levels for this frog species do not present a serious threat to the population, though continued trade regulation is necessary to maintain local populations of climbing mantella. Taxonomy The climbing mantella belongs to the family Mantellidae and the genus Mantella. Mantellidae are endemic to the islands of Madagascar and Mayotte. The climbing mantella's closest relative is likely the green mantella (M. viridis). Diet Climbing mantella eat ants, insect larvae, mites, and other insects. Unlike similar frogs from the family Dendrobatidae, the climbing mantella is not an ant specialist; its food consumption volume and diet composition vary dramatically based on seasonality. Climbing mantella do not seem to prefer a specific type of prey and consume whatever is readily available in leaf litter. Ants comprise approximately 84% of the frog’s diet during the dry season, but only 35% during the wet season. Over half of all consumed ants were of the genus Pheidole. During the dry season, climbing mantella consume approximately 44% more in absolute volume compared to the wet season. Overall, climbing mantella have a more varied diet during the wet season. Wet-season frogs consume significantly more insect larvae, mites, and other arthropods (including spiders and small beetles) compared to dry season counterparts. Diet shifts may be a result of varying prey availability during seasons, rather than specific behavioral changes. Climbing mantella tadpoles will consume unfertilized or fertilized eggs of their own species. Tadpoles are only known to consume conspecific eggs, and ignore mosquitoes or other small arthropod larvae. Mating Male-male competition Males compete with one another for territory. Fighting bouts over territory take the form of wrestling, chasing, and leaping. These conflicts last anywhere from 10 seconds to over 1.5 hours. The resident male, usually the aggressor, typically wins the fight. When not in their own territory, male frogs will infrequently invade the territory of other males, hoping to mate with more females. On rare occasions, the intruder can convince females to mate in a well possessed by another male. If the