Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in Ohio, I have a 5 year old daughter who has inherited my love for herps. My favorite has always been toads. We have quite a few (Americanus) that gather at our "toad light" on our back patio. Every summer we seem to find one in some sort of distress to admit into our little toad "hospital". This year it was a beutiful red female who was bitten several times by, what looked like, a cat. Including one nasty puncture through her paratoid gland (that cat won't be bitin' anymore toads). We nursed her back to health and, like always, returned her to our local pack. We see her almost every night on the patio, eating. If the food is scarce, we toss her a few giant meal worms we always have around. She is by far the largest toad in our gang, and, one of the largest I've ever seen (about 4" long). The problem is, now my toad crazed offspring wants a BIG TOAD for a pet. Since she can't understand why I do not want her to have an indiginous toad as a long term pet, I've decided to get her a Marine Toad. She watches "Her Movie", "Cane toads, unnatural history", every day and reminds me that I haven't gotten her toad yet. I'm looking for a female. I had a male about ten years ago and he seemed to think certain noises (toilet flushing,vacuum cleaner,trucks going by,creaking stairs) were reason to sing. Anybody who's spent any time around these toads knows they can be LOUD! Plus females get larger (or should I say "BIG TOAD DAD"!). Any help would be appreciated!

I hate to reply to my own post but I can't figure out how to edit my post. I've seen marine toads advertised on a few sites. When I asked about them I was sent pics of some very nice, but not marine, toads. It still amazes me how some dealers and pet shops will try to sell you something that they know is the wrong animal. Some try to play ignorant but I find it hard to believe that they know so little about the herps that they are selling. I expect pet shops to make mistakes, alot of the people that work there are new to herping (though they try to tell you otherwise). But I would think that anybody who does this for a living would want to keep their reputation intact. I ordered a water monitor (Varanus s. Salvator) from a pet shop once. It took the distributer three tries to get it right. First they sent me a nice tegu, when I tried to send it back, they told me to keep it and they would try again. Then they sent me a Nile monitor, getting close, but still not right. I can't count how many times I've seen pet shops trying to sell Niles labled as water monitors. They told me to keep it also. I finally gave up and told them to refund my money. They told me that the Salvator was on its way. I was kind of concerned, I didn't have much room left for the guy, even though a close friend eventually took the nile. A month later, I got my Salvator. He was beautiful, But I'd rather not go through the same hassle to get a marine toad. So, anybody know of some REAL Bufo Marinus out there? Thanks.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

Since no one has given opinions yet I'll try and give mine. It's just my personal three cents though. I've had great success dealing with Glades. I've purchased Marbled Sallies and also a luvlie ~see a little humor here~ female Rococo Toad. I'm also happy with their business because they answered all my questions either by phone or thru email. I've talked to them extensively at reptile swaps also when they come to my area in the fall. I wish you the very best of luck in your search, and I fully understand the frustrating situation that you've described. Ironically, all my local pet shops within driving distance fall into this kind of catagory which you have described. Glades, crazily enough is on the other side of the USA and does a far better job all the way around.

Turtasal, thank you for the response and the feedback on Glades. I'll check with them. Thanks again. Lonny.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

Checked with Glades, They have them. They are 7.50 plus about 40.00 (!) to ship one. They said that they have no way of telling which ones are male, and which are female. I know that the males sometimes chirp when handled after they reach about 4" long and the females are usually more colorful, smoother, and more brightly patterned at about 5" . I've gotten pretty good at sexing toads once they get close to sexual maturity, but, sometimes you will find a rather large, brightly colored male who won't make a sound, no matter what you do, untill you put them in an aquarium, feed them, warm them, nurse them back to health, and turn on the vacuum cleaner! Thats when they let you know that they are ALL MALE! (the wife wasn't too impressed). I was hoping that I wouldn't have to pick one from a picture (and pay 50.00 for one) but the situation is getting desperate. The wife is now involved. "So, where's the toad you promised your daughter?" Funny, she didn't seem that interested when I first mentioned it, she just said "is it for her, or for YOU?" really, it's for her, REALLY! Just like the ball python and the bearded dragons and.......
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

Check the Kingsnake classifieds, you can find a breeder there.
Here is one add
Link

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Heather

Thanks, Ellasmommie. From Emmasdaddie!
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

But I think it's a must whenever you have any kind of toad. One of these days when I figure out how to post a picture I'm going to have to put one up of Toad-A-Lot! I'll make sure she's eaten well first and smiles.

Kewl.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

Mmmmmm toad pictures..... "I have detailed files of your anatomy" (T2). Actually, I have about 50 Marine toad pics in a file for my toadage`(like protege`, but with toads). She commands me to print her one almost every day. I need to find her a toad soon, printer ink is costing me a fortune. One distributer told me "50.00 is too much to spend on just one toad". I asked him if he knew what it was like to live with a 5 year old girl who wanted a TOAD more than a puppy, pony, or kitten? She even said she would give up her twin brothers for one (actually, that was her first choice). "For it is this princess that I have set upon this great quest, the quest for....THE GAINT TOAD! (que dramatic music)....
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

MMmmmmm toad pictures...... "I have detailed files of your anatomy" (T2). Actually, I have about 50 pictures of Marine toads in a file for my Toadage`(like protege`, but with toads). She commands me to print her one just about every day. I need to find her a toad soon, printer ink is costing me a fortune! A distributer once told me "50.00 is too much to spend on just one toad", I asked him if he knew what it was like to live with a 5 year old who wanted a TOAD more than a puppy, kitten or pony? She even said she would give up her little twin brothers for one (actually, that was her first choice).
"For it is this Princess that I have set upon this Great Quest, the quest for..... THE GIANT TOAD!" (que dramatic music)
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

First one failed... Rewrote...second one and first one posted.....oops
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

Lonny are you sure about the male only chirping when you pick them up. I havd an american toad which chirps when you picked her up and I am more then positive it was a female because not once did I ever say nuptial pads on his thumbs which we all know here males get. I do not know if marines are different but I am not sure if that is an accurate way of telling what sex they are.
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Aaron aka Doofy

Knowledge is not power; APPLIED knowledge is power
What is Victory worth without sacrifice

I've also had male toads that never got nupt pads. Like the dark throat, they seem to be less obvious outside of breeding season. I think that some males never sexually "mature". Maybe from injury, or, birth defect, or pollution etc. I've seen some females give distress chirps, but only when seriously harassed. In my studies, I frequent breeding ponds, in handling both males (who are quite hostile in breeding season) and females (who are also pretty stressed), the males will sometimes chirp when you do as little as moving your hand near them. While most females would tolerate being handled, measured, and weighed without uttering a syllable. Though some would complain a little when I replaced their male partner on their back. Some times I had to check to make sure I was putting the male back on his female and not on another male! The reason I sometimes use this (among other clues) to try to determine sex is that almost every time I have encountered a male, even outside of breeding season, It has been very easy to get him to voice his feelings about being handled. The things I have noticed are that femles are larger (we all knew that), usually more colorful (prettier?), and the verbal thing. The dark throat patch and nupt pads, male. But the I've never used the absence of them to determine it's a female. Most likely female, but there is a chance it may be an immature, or non-developing male.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I know it sounds like a wierd place but I baught my Marine toad in a local flea market. So if you live in a big city or a well populated city like Dayton, ohio I would first try your flea markets before buying over the enternet. Just my opinion though. happy hunting
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Aaron aka Doofy

Knowledge is not power; APPLIED knowledge is power
What is Victory worth without sacrifice

Thanks Aaron. There are several flea mkts in this area. I never thought of looking there. Right now I have a bearded dragon that came from a flea mkt. The person that bought it did not want it anymore so it joined our happy little clan. Thanks again!
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

that is where I actually got my Marine toad was from the flea market. The biggest thing I would have to warn you about; and I am sure you already know this is that the people you buy them off of do not know didly sqaut about what they sell most the time. The guy who I baught the marine toad off of argued with me saying that the hip bones in a marine toad will always show through. The reason of this discussion was because I was talked to my niece when we first saw the toad and I said I felt sorry for the little guy because he looked thin and was about to die because how bad his hip bones were showing. Well the lady heard me and started defending hersewlf and saying " awwwwwwwwww I do not know why because he has been eating" I simplya nd polity said he just looks sick. She sorta got an additude telling me she was not going to argue with me. Well her husban made the comment " O your the one that argued with my wife. I told him there was no arguement and that she heard me talking to my niece and she commented on it.

well the point of the story is that the guy said they look that way when they do not and they would not eat nightcrawlers when they do and mine has already eatin a few of them. So if you go make sure its healthy and you are in deed getting a cane toad because if some of the people there are like they are hear you may be waiten a LONG time to get a good healthy toad IF IN DEED you find one in a flea market where ya live.
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Aaron aka Doofy

Knowledge is not power; APPLIED knowledge is power
What is Victory worth without sacrifice

I have a lot of experience with the Great Toad. I studied them a little in Texas, mostly out if curiosity when I heard a strange, and very loud, toad calling from a nearby marsh, and in florida. I've seen some large males that looked a little thinner than what I'm used to seeing in Americans, but, not anything that I would consider unhealthy looking. Just thin. I know what you mean by those idiots arguing about herps, most people who sell herps think that the general population are complete ninnies when it comes to them. I had a pet shop employee try to tell me that a nile monitor was an aisian water monitor once, she was in the process of trying to I.D. it with a kids encyclopedia, I told her that it was a water monitor and she said "how would YOU know" and seemed to get pissed that I questioned her vast knowledge (she looked all of 19). I told her I had one at home, and, I would bring it up and point out the differences If she would like. She stomped away and about 2 minutes later the owner came back and said "Oh,Hi" then turned to the employee and said "if HE says it's not an aisian water monitor, it's not an aisian water monitor, he has one at home, I've seen it." Funny, she wasn't there the next time I visited that shop. I think the worst thing a pet shop can do is treat their costomers like idiots. Pet shops are probably one of the worst places for info on herps. My daughter was sitting on my patio with her Ball Python in her lap and one of my neighbors came over and asked me how big I was going to let it get. I must have given him a funny look because he then said, "the guy at the pet shop said that thay would only get as big as the aquarium that you put them in would allow (he was trying to sell him a burmese python baby) I told him that whan that burmese decided to get bigger, he would find a bigger enclosure to live in, probably your livingroom, and let himself out of the smaller enclosure. I'm goimg to check the Mkts around hear, I'm also going to the herp show im columbus, Oh. this month. I haven't been to this one yet, I've heard it's pretty good. Anybody been there?
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

You know that is funny because I think the same way about the pet shops. I remember when I first found out that petshops had no clue on what they were selling. I baught a gulf coast toad at a store called superpetz and they had it marked as a european green toad. I baught a petersons field giude and went there and showed them other wise. One guy was actually cool about it and even admitted that they do not get enough info on the species and that it did not surprise him the least bit when they mark the toads as different species when they get shipped to the stores. I went in at a different time and told another clerk about the mis labbeling and she basically ignored me the whole time. Its pathetic that they do not care, and what is more pathetic that the owners or even the managers KNOW that the clerks do not have the proper knowledge and still do not get them trained to know what they need to know.

Heck one time I was at petsmart and they had waxy monkey tree frogs for 20 bucks. I was tempted to but all three of them and maybe sell them when I knew they were healthy. $20 is a steal for that species. but like you said they do not know jack at all and it is bad for the hobbie of herp keeping. especially when some one wants to start the hobby up and they get the wrong info that ends up killing the herp that they baught. sorta stinks. =(
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Aaron aka Doofy

Knowledge is not power; APPLIED knowledge is power
What is Victory worth without sacrifice

I've actually overheard a petshop employee recommend canned cat food to a customer for the baby iguana she was buying (!). I caught up to the customer in the parking lot and told her that cat food was a bad idea and recommended she re-evaluate who she askes for advise on herps. I gave her the names of a few web sites and publications that had GOOD info on herps. In a perfect world, pet shops would do this instead of giving out misinformation. But then, in a perfect world, all of our favorite herps would live in our back yard and we wouldn't need pet shops! Actually, my favorite herp does live in my backyard, Mr. and Ms. Bufo americanus. Boy, now if I can just get all of the tropical species that I love to adapt to Ohio weather, I could just throw out my entire wardrobe and buy fig leaves, 'cause I'd be in paradise baby! Lets see, get wife to change her name to Eve, already got an apple tree and a serpent, Oh no, I'm not changing my twin boys names to Cain and Abel! So much for paradise.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

If you are from ohiowhat part you from? I am in the dayton area
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Aaron aka Doofy

Knowledge is not power; APPLIED knowledge is power
What is Victory worth without sacrifice

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved here
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved here from Texas about
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved here from
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved here from Texas about 5 years
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved here from Texas about 5 years ago.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved here from Texas
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved here from Texas about 5
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved here from Texas about 5 years ago.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I'm in the Canton-Massillon area. I moved here from Texas about 5 years ago.
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.

I posted the response just once, really. The screen locked up and when it returned me to the forum, there were a few extras. (?)
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How to get your wife to like toads; 1.Get a male toad. 2.Get him to hug your wifes wrist (amplexus). 3. Tickle him so he chirps in protest. 4.Say "Awww, he likes you". Note; Make sure he pees first or you may receive bodily harm during this procedure.