Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i have my american toad that i found during the summer set up in a clear container like a rubbermade but i think its called a store-rite he's on coconut dirt he has a hide a rock and a water bowl big enough for him to sit in, also i just put a small pile of fallen leaves in there with him and he's spread them around i feed him crickets mostly some earth worms and sometimes a moth i think he's grown about an inch since i got him, does he need a heat lamp? i never gave him one i thought he'd be fine since the basements warmer then outside

Add some hiding places such as cork bark or half flower pots. Change the substrate regularly to prevent disease. Try to establish a moisture gradient with one side of the enclosure slightly damper than the other, but not wet. Vary the diet as much as possible and don't overfeed - 2-3 times a week. And *NO* to the heat lamp - keep your toad as cool as possible (above freezing) - cool room temperature is OK.
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Mike.
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http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary

ok thanks that helps alot i'll give him more hiding spots ,and how often is regularly? he has about 2 inches of substrate

"ok thanks that helps alot i'll give him more hiding spots, and how often is regularly? he has about 2 inches of substrate"

I had a feeling you were going to ask me that ... I can tell you if you first tell me how long is a piece of string?
Over time, you'll develop a feeling for how frequently substrate changing is necessary. It all depends on:
- Size of the animal(s)
- Size of the enclosure
- How much/often they are fed
- Temperature
As a rough guide, I tend to change the substrate for my toads about once a month. YMMV. Change the water every day though, whether or not they defacate in it!
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Mike.
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http://mike-edwardes.members.beeb.net/Amphibiary