Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What would a proper sized tank be for housing 7 Southern Toads, ranging from 2"-3"? Also, is it fine to house females and males together?

Thanks!

You can house the males and females together. They won't hurt eachother or be aggressive. Even though they are little now, 7 toads should be given as big a tank as you can give them. Toads like to move around alot, especially in the summer. They like to be alone sometimes, too, so the more places for them to spread out and hide, the better. I've seen toads live together in a huddle for weeks, then sit on opposite sides of the tanks for weeks, and I'm talking about two females. Given that, I personally wouldn't put them in anything smaller than a 30 gallon breeder. Over population can lead to stress. Also, 7 toads going potty in the water means you need to provide fresh water more often.

Frankly, I keep only two adults in a 30 gallon (b. americanus) and two juvenilles in a ten, and a single male in another 10. Sure, I have tanks all over the house, but they're set up so beautifully, they are a nice addition to the decor. I might sound a little extreme but its just that I've been keeping toads for over 27 years now and I find I have very few fatalities when everyone is spread out and has space and no competition for food. Also, 7 toads soiling the soil can lead to illness so you need to do more frequent changes of substrate.

If you would like more info, feel free to email me: kisco@toadilytoads.com
ToadilyToads.com

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Visit us at http://www.toadilytoads.com The place on the web where toads come first. Fun and education await toad lovers of all ages.

Thank you! That's very cool you've been keeping toads for so long, I'm only 17 but I've been catching them since I was 4 or 5. I've pretty much decided on a 55 gallon for all of them, I was going to set up a waterfall into a nice little pond for them at one end and accordingly decorate the rest. My mom is an avid gardener, and my boyfriend works at Home Depot so a supply of soil is no worry...

All in all, they are incredibly adorable and I can't wait to permanently settle them in!

And thank you to everyone who responded to this thread, and if anyone ever wants to talk "toads" then feel free to e-mail me at atomicgrrl@gmail.com

i would say at least a 30 gallon, a 30 breeder would probally be better since they don't climb, i would just watch them carefully to make sure they don't fight. good luck! this is my tank for one toad:

I only keep 2 Southerns (Bufo terrestris) 1:1 in a 10gal. I read that the appropriate space ratio is about 4 or 5gal per toad so anything like a 30breeder or a 40gal should do. Hope you've got a big waterbowl.

reako45