Posted by:
Paradon
at Sun Aug 6 00:53:26 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Paradon ]
Well, from my experience, they tend to like the semi-aquatic set-up best. I have two of mine in a ten gallon with a large rock at one end for feeding. Believe me, when I had it set up in a terrestrial style set up, they would try to climb out, but after setting up the semi-aquatic set-up for them they calm down. I even left my screen top open for long periods of time and they never try to climb out with the semi-aquatic set-up; I guess they like the humidity. I have one of mine for 6 years and still going strong! Now, about the temperature, I think they tend to like room temperature. Amphibians likes it moderately cool, which means if you can maintain the temperature at around 75-85 degree it's great. Amphibians can digest food even if the ambient temperature is 60 degree, any lower, all bets are off. Any higher than 85 is too hot. Amphibians have moist porous skin, and high temperature causes them to loose water quickly. From my experience the fire-bellied toads like it in the 75-80 degree range, so room temperature is perfect. I have mine in a room temperature set-up for 6 years.
For feeding, frogs rely on movement to tell them if something is food or not, so feeding live insects is a must because they will not take dead preys! Although, in the past, I've sucessfull hand fed my FB toads from a pair of tiny tongs, and even by hands. If you want to do this for fun, just slowly approach the frog with the tongs in one hand. Don't make any sudden movement because that warns them of predator approaching. Once you get close enough dangle a cricket or mealworm infront of it, and see, if he will go for it. They will if they are hungry. You can try to fast them for a couple days; then try feeding them by hands if you want. It's a really enjoyable experience.
And, lastly, they don't need UVB light as long as they can tell the difference between night and day. If your room is really dark, then I guess the UVB light might be benefitial since it would stimulate there night/day cycle activity, and FB toads are active during the day; so, if your room is dark, I sugest the lighting for psychological benefits to stimulate feeding. You can use the regular incadescent bulb if you like, but make sure the wattage is not too high to cause them heat stress. Remember amphibians like it moderately cool compared to reptiles.
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