Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a few American toads. Whenever they soak in the water dish, they scratch their bellies and rub their legs together. Is this normal? Are they itchy for something? Parasites perhaps? I don't see anything on them. I never heard of a toad with fleas. Could it be allergies? Are there toad antihistamines?
I suppose they are just being toads.

This is certainly not normal. Whenever there is something wrong with an amphibian, the first thing you should look at is water quality. Are you using dechlorinated water (chemically treated)? I would highly recommend switching to bottled spring water for a few weeks to see if this eliminates this behavior.

Other possible causes included an irritating substrate, and some type of pathological skin condition (bacterial, viral). In which case a culture performed by a vet would be in order.

Since most problems with herps are directly the result of their husbandry, you should post what size tank they have, substrate, temps etc.
This is definitely something that should be resolved.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes

I don't see and infection or inflammation. I've used the ground up walnut shells (ESU Reptile Desert Blend Lizard Litter) and the wood chips with chlorophyll (it said it could be used for lizards). They seem to like the wood chips better because they completely bury them selves in it. I replace the substrate once a week.
I use well water and change it once, some times twice per day. They all have a very healthy appetite.
Everything is room temperature, I don’t have any heat rocks or anything.
They only scratch when soaking.
I’ve seen freshly caught wild toads do the same scratching thing in a bucket.

I have 3 toads in a 10 gal tank that will be replaced soon. I am considering building something out of Plexiglas. Is this an acceptable material? I’ve see fish aquariums made of a similar material.

Could be shedding. Are they opening and closing their mouths as well and rubbing their front feet on their faces? If so then I'd say shedding.

You may want to offer a softer substrate like bed a beast or any cocoa fiber. They can bury themselves in it better and it wont cause any irritation to the skin.

Are you treating your well water? There are a lot of minerals and metales in well water that you should remove before putting it in with your frogs.
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Heather

Sometimes I forget even the simple things. They could be shedding their skin. I am not thrilled about their substrate however, I prefer either paper towels or coconut fiber the best, although I don't know if it is bad for them. I would seriously consider switching the substrate out. A heat lamp during the winter will go a long way with these guys. Just go with a 25 or 40 watt bulb.

Most fabrications don't work out, at least with what I have seen. Stick with the aquariums, they really are easier. Try a 20g with your toads, where you can achieve proper thermo and moisture gradients.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes

Colchicine,
I'm just wondering about something you stated.

"Most fabrications don't work out, at least with what I have seen. Stick with the aquariums, they really are easier."

I was wondering why you think most fabrications don't work out. I'm just curious. Could you elaborate more on this please? I too have been thinking about constructing a habitat using plexiglass and I've read on the internet (various sites) about how some people have constructed their own cages and it has seemed to work out fine according to them. (However I don't take all that's posted on the internet as fact!)
Last year I did build a large cage that has had its fair share of flaws, but relatively its worked out very well and my american toads have seemed to benefit greatly. I ask you why because I'm just wondering if there was some potential problems I've not forseen. Just want you to know that I'm not being facetious and I'm asking in all seriuosness. Thanks in advance.
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-Laurah

Most people I have seen on these forums get these huge ideas without realistically assessing how much it will cost and the level of involvement it will take to perfect such a custom enclosure. Most people also do not have a working knowledge of the materials needed to successfully put together an enclosure (everything from the type of silicone needed to bulkhead fittings to appropriate filtration) that will be waterproof or have proper ventilation etc.

I really do not understand why the typical aquariums sold in pet stores are not good enough, they are sufficient for the vast majority of applications. Of course specialty items like dartk frogs usually do better in a custom enclosure, but most of those are built by professionals and may cost over thousand dollars. Plexiglas is not at all what most people think it is, it has its flaws. It can be expensive, it is porous and it will eventually absorb water, and it is soft so it scratches easily. It also cannot support the weight that glass can.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

"Sometimes I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us."
Calvin and Hobbes

"Of course specialty items like dart frogs usually do better in a custom enclosure, but most of those are built by professionals and may cost over thousand dollars"

I wouldn't agree that dart frogs necessarily do better in a custom enclosures. In the UK, unlike the rest of Europe, almost all pdfs are kept in regular aquaria. You'll also rarely see a false bottom in the UK! The frogs are fine. The advantage of custom enclosures (and false bottoms) is less work for the keeper, see:
http://www.tropical-experience.nl/mix/tanks.html
(great site btw)
Also, in mainland Europe these smaller custom vivaria do not cost over a thousand dollars, only a couple of hundred Euros (still more expensive than plain aquaria). Why? because they are the standard there and just about all pdf keepers use them. Ahh, market forces!
However, I do agree with you that many people do a half-assed job of making a custom vivarium, unless it's just a question of modifying a fishtank (e.g. stand one on end - voila, it's a treefrog tank!).
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Mike.
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http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary