Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it dangerous to feed toads (Texas) to my Florida Kingsnakes? I know there is concern about insecticides and parasites, but what about consuming the toad?

Thanks,
Joey

Well, toads also secret a toxin through their skin that could be dangerous. Some species of snake, like the hognose are immune to the toxin... but I wouldn't risk it with a KS.

Thank you very much for your reply!

Bufo americanus or the American Toad which I'm thinking is what you're probably going to be able to get ahold of.. is one of the most toxic toads in the US. You don't want to feed it to your snake. Other toads also secrete toxins... most cannot be eaten by snakes unless that snake specializes in frogs and toads.. IE.. Nerodia (The Water snakes)or sometimes some species of Garter snakes. Kingsnakes aren't on that list.
-----
Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.1.1 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short) and 1 dbl. het blizzard x tang albino (Malice))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
1 Gerbil
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)

Thank you very much for your reply!