It is endemic to the Isalo National Park and areas south of it in Madagascar, a range it shares with the rainbow frog (Scaphiophryne gottlebei).

[2] Both are locally common, but endangered due to habitat loss and over-collected for the pet trade.

[3] The blue-legged mantella is diurnal and belongs to the M. betsileo species group.

There are individual and locality based variations, with some having darker and greyer legs or, in the far north of its range, a reddish lower back (contrasting with the yellow upper back and top of head).

[5][6] In the south of the species' range, individuals commonly have some brown to the legs, approaching the appearance of the brown mantella (M. betsileo), and some are genetically in between the two species, but their taxonomic position is still unresolved.