Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know I just posted about FBTs, but I need advice. I have read about American toads and they sound like easy pets. I don't know if I should get a Fire-belly or American. You might need to know that I am a begginer, 12 years old. Fire-belly's seem more colorful but can't be handelded as much. I wouldn't mind that but are they any harder to care for? I need advice, and fast.

Thanks in advance,
Cyclone Girl

Hey Cyclone,
12 doesn't have to be a begginer. I'm sure most of these people on the forums including me have caught toads since were little tots. I'm just a year older then you.

For a begginer, over all... I would say maybe easiest to take care of would be a bufo americanus(American toad). Both are fun,... TO LOOK AT! Aphibians are like fish, there off limits to touch... oils, and other foreign substances can harm/kill your toads.

I say AT's maybe easier, just because of the setup, and price for setup in general.

Firebellied toads need, a half dechlorinated water setup. And in this water you need a good filter($$$). You also have to change the water, ... some recommend everyday! And boy can these little ones eat!

American toads have a basic, terrestrial setup. Bed-a- Beast, small water dish that has to be changed daily, little hiding place.

The details just go on, and on.

12 years old is well, old enough to care for either species. You have to put around the same commitment, and effort with both.

I have;
- a firebellied toad
- a green treefrog
- a japanese firebellied newt

- two cockatiels
- two budgies
- and two orange cheeked waxbills.

If I can keep nine pets, and six of them being very time consuming(cough, cough... my birds...lol), you can deffinitly keep two fbt's, or an american toad.

If you like what you, keep, and you enjoy the hobby... nothing else matters.

Steven

You know, I have to say that this forum and another that I am on has some of the most responcible teens I have ever known! It is so winderful to see that there are "kids" out there that show such a passion for such a delicate hobby and are doing so well at it!! I'm 31 and only just got into frogs about 5 months ago and I have learned alot from those of you who are almost young enough to be my own kid LOL

Keep up to good work guys!! I'm proud of you!!!
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Heather

I have owned 4 american toads over the past 5 years and i found them very easy to take care of b/c u can just go outside and get them food and all u need is a simple aquarium setup also in the winter time they hibernate very easly, they dont try to excape.but i have owned my FBT for about 4 days lol and they are just as fun to watch and they make really cool sounds at night
( the american toads do to sometime)also they are alote more colorful but they need water in there setup and u cant pick them up as much. well any way if u want a toad that is easyer to take care of the American toads is probibly easyer.
-Max

im sry i forgot to say this lol . if u think age is an issue dont worry about it i got my first turtle at age 6 lol and i now am 14 and i have 2 eastern box turtles 2 mud turtles 2 Fire bellied toads and 2 american toads lol. i jsut sugestu reading like books for the library about the subject i have learned so much about reptials and amphibains that im going to work up at a camp in the ecology section lol. just have fun with it
-Max

Thanks for your help guys. I have decieded to go a completely different direction (well not comptley). I am going to get leopard frogs. Right know they are still tadpoles in the store, and the guy told me how to care for them. He seemed like a guy to trust.

Thanks agian,
Cyclone Girl

Hey cyclone,
A leopard may be the wrong choice. These guys are the jumpers of the frog world!!! They can jump like little maniacs!!!

They may be in my opinion more difficult than an american toad, even maybe a fbt!

BUt, like I said before,...if the heart is there, nothing else matters.

Steven

I raised Leo's from tads myself. Are you prepared? You need to do at least a 20% water change every other day. Then once they morph they are VERY jumpy and you rarely seem them because they burrow and hide during the day. For the set up you need at least a 20 gallon and that is only to start. It needs to be set-up 50 water 50land and again, that water area needs to have the water changed every other day, even if you have a filter running.

Think long and hard before getting in to Loes, let alone tadpoles. And if you do decide to go for it, be prepared, tadpoles don't always make it to frogs no matter how well you care for them. Trust me I've been raising tapoles and have raised 3 leos out of 5, 2 RETFs out of 8 and just recently 36 Cuban tree frogs out of 60. It's not as easy as you may think and it takes quite a bit of time.
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Heather

Well i agree with them for ur first toads or frogs u might wanna stick with something more simple unless ur willing to put the time into the leopards. also i have caught a few leoperds and they bounce around all the time in the aquarium i had lol. but what ever u what its up to u
-Max

You're right on about the leopards. The ones that I have are really stressed-out easily, and are some of the few frogs tha I have had for years, which are not calm and unfearful of me approaching their tank. I would definately recommend an american toad for you if you're beginning, Cyclone. They are not high jumpers, move relatively slow when compared to others, and only need a shallow waterbowl in the tank.
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*~Ginevive~*

Leopards tend to damage their snouts banging around in their cages. I could never keep one very long. As soon as they were healthy and jumping around I would let them go. Every time I walk into the room and hear that "thunk" it would make me cringe. Plus, I've always felt bad keeping something that obviously needed ALOT of room. Leopards are pretty antisocial, they are either hiding, or jumping maniacaly around their cage (more nose damage). Am's seem to almost relish your company. After only a few days in captivity, they would greet us as we entered the room be walking up to the glass and putting a hand on it. They will readily take food from your hand and don't seem to object to being handled. Yes, we handle ours, after a good hand washing. We have pretty good water here, not much chlorine. My daughter will often sit with one in her lap and hand feed it. My wife says, "we are the freekin' Adams family. Now you know why I don't invite anyone over". I told her that if her friends don't like toads, I don't want them in my house anyway. Sometimes I "accidentaly" leave the monitors cage unsecured. There's nothing like a 4' lizard roming around the house for keeping in-laws away!
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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.

Cute little guys, REAL easy tank setup, easy care. And if cute isn't enough, just toss a vitamin/calcium dusted cricket in and watch em hunt. Scarey little predators there...

Plus these guys tame easily. They might be a little nervous when you first pick them up once their tame, but once they realise they're safe, they're so neat. Mine walks all over me and explores when I'm lying down or sitting at the computer.

I think the only real problem in keeping them is keeping their food as well.
I bought a small plastic pet cage where I hold 1-3 dozen crickets so I don't have to buy a couple crickets every couple days. But I also supplement with small earthworms (bought at any bait shop) and a few meal worms (bought in cups of 50 usually at a pet store).