SpeciesTomato frog
Tomato frog
Dyscophus antongilii
Females turn tomato red and measure 8.5 to 10.5 cm, males stay considerably smaller at 6 to 6.5 cm. When threatened the frog puffs itself up and releases a sticky skin secretion that irritates skin and mucous membranes.
- Group
- Amphibian
- Level
- Beginner
- Origin
- Madagascar
Where the species comes from
- World region
- Madagascar
- Countries
- East coast of Madagascar, from Antongil Bay to south of Toamasina
- Habitat
- Tropical rainforest from sea level to about 600 m
The app does not yet hold an origin entry for this species. The distribution given here comes from the specialist literature.
The natural habitat is the yardstick for how you furnish an enclosure. Knowing where an animal comes from is knowing why it needs heat zones, hides and a particular humidity.
Husbandry at a glance
The same details appear in the animal’s profile inside the app.
- Enclosure
- Recommendation for two animals: at least 10 × 5 body lengths of floor area and 4 body lengths of height, i.e. 105 × 53 × 42 cm for females of 10.5 cm. Add 2 × 2 body lengths for each further animal. These are the dimensions the Animal Welfare Ordinance sets for ground-dwelling tropical frogs (Annex 2, table 6, item 2a); the ordinance does not name tomato frogs there. Floor area before height.
- Temperature
- 22–26 °C, 20 °C at night.
- Humidity
- 70–80 %, moist substrate.
- Lighting
- Dim; nocturnal.
- Substrate
- Deep, moist forest soil for burrowing.
- Furnishings
- Leaf litter, cork pieces, plants, a shallow water basin.
- Water
- Shallow basin, refreshed daily, softened water.
- Feeding
- Insects two to three times a week; adults sparingly.
- Behaviour
- Crepuscular and nocturnal, buries itself during the day.
- Handling
- Do not handle. The skin secretion is sticky and irritating.
- Cohabitation
- Groups of equally sized animals.
- Health
- Obesity from feeding too often.
- Seasonal cycle
- No winter rest: Madagascar. A dry season of eight to ten weeks at 20–22 °C with greatly reduced misting, followed by a heavy rainy period — this is the trigger for breeding. During the dry season the animals burrow and eat little.
- Safety
- No permit required, but proof of origin (Art. 10 BGCITES). Do not confuse with the false tomato frog Dyscophus guineti: Common names vary from source to source, so check the scientific name.
Legal position in Switzerland
No permit foreseen
No permit required. The species does not belong to any of the groups listed in Art. 89 of the Swiss Animal Welfare Ordinance
No certificate of competence foreseen
No proof of competence required. It is only demanded for the animals named in Art. 89 of the Ordinance
Species protection applies
CITES Appendix II since 2 January 2017. Until then the species was listed in Appendix I; the Conference of the Parties (CoP17, 2016) transferred it. Anyone keeping an animal needs documents on its origin and lawful acquisition and hands them over when passing it on (Art. 10 BGCITES). Ask for proof of origin when buying
Minimum enclosure dimensions
Annex 2, table 6 of the Animal Welfare Ordinance, the table for amphibians, does not list this species. The table is arranged by family and distinguishes groups within each, mostly naming specific genera or species, for some items only as examples. Neither this species nor its genus appears there; the table sets no figure for it.
The general rule in Annex 2 (letter K) then applies: the enclosure must be large enough for everything the species needs (hides, basking spot, climbing branches) to be arranged sensibly. As a yardstick, the ordinance points to expert opinions on a scientific basis. There is therefore no binding figure. Binding information comes from the cantonal veterinary office.
Item 2a, “ground-dwelling frogs from tropical and subtropical climate zones”, is worded openly: It names Ceratophrys and Hypsiboas only as examples. It does, however, sit under the heading “tree frogs (Hylidae), reed frogs (Hyperoliidae), horned frogs (Ceratophrydae) and shrub frogs (Rhacophoridae)”. Tomato frogs belong to the narrow-mouthed frogs (Microhylidae), which the table does not mention. On its wording, item 2a therefore does not cover them. As a recommendation, not a requirement, the profile above nonetheless gives at least the dimensions of item 2a.
What the enclosure must provide
Deep, moist substrate for burrowing, softened water, a hide. Amphibian skin absorbs substances directly.
Paperwork
Keep the purchase contract and proof of origin. Use the scientific name to check CITES and import status reliably.
These details are a guide, not legal advice. Binding information comes from the cantonal veterinary office; the text of the ordinance is what counts. More on the legal position
