page_title: Scaphiophryne gottlebei
section_title: Distribution and habitat
hierarchical_section_title: Scaphiophryne gottlebei / Distribution and habitat
caption_attribution_description: Scaphiophryne gottlebei
context_page_description: Scaphiophryne gottlebei, commonly known as the Malagasy rainbow frog, ornate hopper, rainbow burrowing frog, red rain frog or Gottlebe's narrow-mouthed frog, is one of the most highly decorated frogs from Madagascar. The primary threats to this endangered species are habitat loss and capture for the pet trade.
context_section_description: The Malagasy rainbow frog is endemic to the Isalo Massif at an altitude of 700–1,000 m (2,300–3,300 ft) in the central part of southern Madagascar, including the Isalo National Park and areas south of it. Its primary habitat is narrow canyons where the conditions tend to be cool for the tropics, relatively dark (resulting in little or no vegetation) and very humid. The typical temperature in its habitat is 19–22 °C (66–72 °F), but overall varies from about 13 to 35 °C (55–95 °F). It shares its range with another colourful and endangered frog, the blue-legged mantella (Mantella expectata), which occurs in the same habitat but prefers more open, sun-exposed areas. The Malagasy rainbow frog digs into the sandy areas bordering the streams or spends its time in small holes or crevices in the rock walls. At night it may climb on the rock walls, reaching several meters high. Although rare outside its primary canyon habitat, it can also be found in open rocky areas, mostly in dry forest.
caption: This frog often spends time in holes or crevices in rocks
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