Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Everyone,

I just got a group of 1.5 w. hognose and so far have only gotten two of them to eat. I've only had them for about a week, so I'm not getting too worried yet... but I want to have toad pops ready just incase.

I'm about to go toad hunting and have read that the toads should be frozen for 2 weeks. Will this kill ALL parasites?

Does one need to worry about pesticides?

Is it better to make toad pops/slurries or should I simply dethaw the toad to scent and then refreeze everytime?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your help and time,

Ross Payan
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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, and Screaming Fat-Tails

The absolute BEST way to use toads for scenting is to keep them alive. That way you have an ENDLESS amount of toad scent available (everything from urine, shed skin, even feces and best of all, saliva). And if the toad were treated for parasites just like the rest of your collection, you can be assured you have the absolute cleanest source of scent (as long as you keep the toad well fed and clean). Bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants should be a serious, and legitmate concern. Hopefully, keeping one alive will allow the toad to "clean" itself of any toxins, and since no real body parts are being consumed, the likeliness of passing the toxins to your valued snake is decreased.

Fortunately, toads are the easiest amphibians to keep in captivity. A simply 10g, with coconut fiber substrate, a hide spot, and dechlorinated water are the basics.

To answer you questions, 2 weeks is not sufficient. According to the parasite book by Dr Klingenberg, 30 days is the minimum. Even then it will not kill viruses and some bacteria, and certainly will not remove any pesticides.
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*Humans aren't the only species on earth... we just act like it.

".the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without
spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

heres what I did .first I would just rub the f/t pinkie all over the live toad and leave it in with the snake for a few hours , if that did not work then I put a small live toad in with the snake and when he starts going after the toad then I hold the pinkie in front of him and he will grab the pinkie by mistake and stert eating the pinkie thinking he has the toad . and if he gets the toad first then at least hes eating and you can try it again next time . hope this helps .

JIM