Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got 3 reciently imported specimans and i wanted to know how long they will be posinious for i know they loose it like dart frogs but how long dose it take. please help

also i have a red banded rubber frog its black with bright red stripes i wanted to know if they loose the posionous attributes also or if it is stuck with them.

Thank you so much

Kelsey

I wouldn't worry too much about the toxins of bumble bee toads, your not really suppose to handle amphibians at all so whats the problem? If you do handle it, or when you are cleaning its cage, all you have to do is wash your hands and the toxins will be washed from you hands. I'm not sure exactely how long the toxins stay but I would guess a month or two, but thats just a guess.

Hope this can help
Kristen

I agree with Kristin. Since you really should not touch them, why would it matter? If it is a matter of moving the toads, coax them into a small container. I sometimes let them jump onto my hand for a short period. That way, only their feet are touching me. In my case, however, I know my M. stelzneri are no longer toxic, so my concern is with harming them, not me.

As to the specific question, I am not sure I have seen an answer. The only way to definitively know is to determine precisely when they were captured, what food they had on the journey, and then chemically test the toxicity of the toads in a scientific manner at regular intervals. You would also have to define what is "safe" toxicity since all frogs and toads have some toxicity.

It sounds like an interesting project. Any volunteers?

Chris D.