Toads are beautiful creatures to have around the house (as long as they live in their own glass mini-house). Their lumpy but lovely faces will be a welcome sight when you walk in the door. Caring for a toad isn't terribly time-consuming but it will be very satisfying.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing your Toad's House
Step 1. Get a decent sized container
You will need a 40-liter container for one or two toads. Generally, you shouldn't put more than three toads in one tank, as many can get aggressive. Don't keep several toad species together.
Step 2. Buy substrate your toad will like
The substrate is a ground cover that is made specifically for terrariums. Putting at least 5-8cm of substrate on the floor of your terrarium will allow your toad to dig a burrow when it feels like hiding. The type of substrate depends on your specific type of toad. In general, frog potting soil that is sold in most pet stores gives good coverage, as does potting soil without additives for plants or gardens bought at a garden store. Chopped coir can be an equally good substrate.
- If you are in any doubt as to which substrate you should buy, ask an amphibian specialist at a reptile or pet store.
- Don't use artificial soil or sand, as these ground covers are too harsh on your toad's delicate skin.
Step 3. Give your toad some hiding places
You can choose what kind of hiding places you would like to give your pet. You could put a stone, some tree bark, or a piece of slate to burrow under. Other toad owners prefer to buy a hiding place or two at a pet store or give their toads empty coconut shells to climb into.
Step 4. Give your toad a pool to swim in
The puddle should be about half the height of your toad deep and at least four times as long. It is very important that the water you fill the pool with is dechlorinated - toads can die in water that contains chlorine. Then let it settle for at least 24 hours before using it. Make sure there is a ramp of some kind that the toad can climb after it is done wandering in the water, because toads are quite poor swimmers.
An easy way to create a bathroom for your toad is to buy a low plastic bowl. Dig a space in the substrate so that the edge of the bowl is level with the rest of the substrate in the terrarium. Put a sturdy tablet of some kind in the bowl so the toad can get in and out of the water easily
Step 5. Keep your toad's house at the right temperature
Again, the temperature you need for the terrarium will depend on the type of toad you host. The spectrum of temperatures preferred by toads ranges from 18 to 27 ° C, depending on the type of toad you have.
It is advisable to place an adhesive reptile heater at one end of the terrarium if your toad variety needs heat. Placing a heater on one side of the terrarium allows the toad to choose to be on the warmer side or the cooler side. For your toad's specific needs, ask your nearest amphibian and reptile store
Step 6. Use the right kind of lights to make your toad happy
Toads should have around 12 hours of sunlight each day. Use a daylight or low UV lamp, but only after you've given your toad some hiding places (so he can get away from the light if he wants to).
If you want to be able to see your toad at night, you can put a red lamp to light his house at night. Toads are much more active at night. They can't see red light, so they will think they are moving in the dark but you will still be able to see them
Step 7. Make sure the terrarium is moist enough
Although toads don't particularly like water like frogs, they still need a relatively humid habitat. Use a spray bottle to spray one side of the terrarium (the one with the water bowl) so that the toad can choose whether to stand on wet or dry ground. Use only water that is chlorine-free!
Part 2 of 2: Looking after your Toad
Step 1. Don't take a toad out of its natural environment
Wild animals shouldn't be taken away from their home in the wild, no matter how cute you think a toad's funny face is. The fact is that many types of toad are endangered because humans have reclaimed their habitats by turning them into construction land. Wild toads should be left alone in their natural habitat.
Step 2. Give your toad the type of food he will want to eat
Common food for toads includes crickets, grubs and worms. The age of your toad will determine how often you need to feed it. If you have a small young specimen, you should feed it every day. If you have an adult toad you should remember to feed it 2-3 times a week. You should give your toad four to six standard sized pieces of food (with the standard the size of a cricket) when you feed it.
- Toads will recognize the routine. Try feeding your toad at the same time once every two days or so.
- Give your toad only store-bought crickets. Wild-caught crickets could carry parasites that would make your toad sick.
Step 3. Give your toad vitamin supplements
To give your toad the right amount of nutrition, you should think about sprinkling multivitamin or calcium powder on its food. As a general rule, it's best to sprinkle your food with some calcium each time you feed it, and with a multivitamin once a week.
Step 4. Make sure your toad has water
It is incredibly important to give your toad chlorine-free water. Toads are very sensitive to chemicals like chlorine, and you could seriously harm your toad if you give it water containing chlorine.
Step 5. Remove food scraps every day
In general, toads will eat their meal within 15 minutes of the food entering their burrow. Wait about 15 minutes and then remove the leftover food. You should also change the water every day.
Step 6. Don't handle your toad too often
Toads do not like being handled and are easily frightened. These animals are much more of the "look but don't touch" type. When you have to pick up your toad, you need to remember to be very gentle. Toads are fragile creatures, despite their rough and lumpy appearance. Never throw your toad around and don't drop it.
Step 7. Take precautions when handling your toad
You should always wear gloves when picking up your toad. Toad skin is mildly toxic and causes skin irritation to some people - however, the oils on human skin can also harm toads. Wash your hands after handling your toad.
Toads are known to carry diseases such as salmonella. You should always wash your hands after touching your toad, especially if you weren't wearing gloves while doing it. Make sure you wash your hands with warm, soapy water
Step 8. Clean your toad's terrarium often
You should try to clean your toad's terrarium at least once a week. To do this, you must move the toad to a temporary area from which it cannot escape. Remove all substrate, clean the terrarium and any objects (such as hiding places), fill the terrarium with fresh substrate and put everything back (including your toad).
Step 9. Find out about things specific to your type of toad
As far as this article is about the basics of keeping a toad happy and alive, some types are more difficult than others. If you have questions about your specific type of toad, you can search for the toad names below. Remember, when in doubt, ask a specialist at a local reptile or pet store for help.
- Bombina
- American toads
- Southern wild toads
- Gulf Coast Toads
- Sand toads
Advice
- Do not collect toads in the wild.
- Always speak to an amphibian specialist when you have questions about how to care for your toads.
Warnings
- Frogs and toads can have harmful bacteria on their skin - wear gloves and wash your hands before and after handling them.
- Don't touch your toad too much, because toads don't like being handled and the oils on human skin can damage their skin.
