Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

My toad discussion group on Yahoo groups is having a bit of a debate about the subject of hibernating (or not hibernating) captive toads. Some beleive it isn't necessary and others think it is. I am getting many conflicting opinions online at other sites. I have kept bufo americanus for the last 25 years of my life and have been sucessful, but I always induce a semi-hibernation state by keeping them in a cool room (55 - 61 average) and offering less food. I have found that it is my experience that the toads do better in winter this way. Also, I have noticed that toads who did well all spring - fall, have a greater chance of dying in the winter than any other time.

One guy told me he has large garbage cans filled with dirt in his garage and he lets his toads go in there during the winter. He said he keeps a clear plastic dome lid over the pails and has a water bowl present on the surface. I asked him to send pictures but he never did. I don't know if that was real or not. In theory it might work, but who knows. Another guy told me he puts them in the fridge at controlled temps.

I would love to hear feedback and opinions on this subject and any links to scientific information on the subject, as well.

I have never claimed to be an expert, but I do have alot of sucess and experience. Still, this is a big issue. Via my website, I am receiving many letters asking about keeping toads through winter.

Thanks.
Chrysta
Toadily Toads

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Visit us at http://www.toadilytoads.com The place on the web where toads come first. Fun and education await toad lovers of all ages.

I liked your site enjoyed the gallery. i notice you prefer paper towels. i imagine because it is way cleaner easier to change alot than soil.
Why hibernate them at all. If you think they want to "sleep" just shut off the heat/light for weeks,etc. I would think its safer than actual refrig hibernation which isnt needed anyway. Lol in my opinion unless I guess you want to breed some cooler climate types.
Lia

Lia,

Sorry for not replying sooner.

Why do you think I prefer paper towels? When I was a little girl, my first toads Fleegle and Flipper lived on paper towels alot because my mother didn't know better. Other than a couple of shots in their gallery, you should find absolutely nowhere else on the entire site where paper towels are shown or in any way recommended. If you read my page on rococo care you will find that I always recommend organic soil that is free of debris or chemical additives of any kind. Paper towels usually contain formaldahyde which is a bi-product of the bleaching process, I am told. It also is very foreign to frogs and toads and is not a preferable substrate. So sorry if you were left with the wrong impression.

Personally, I do not agree with keeping toads in the fridge, but because of my website, I get emailed from peopel all over the world and you would be amazed at the stuff people tell me they did or ask me about. My toads are in a cool room which is always fairly dark because I sleep in there and I am nocturnal, so I sleep by day, just like they do (that works out perfectly, doesn't it?)

I believe that hibernating is only necessary if one is prepping them for breeding the following spring, but again, some people have other opinions, so I thought I'd ask around.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the site. I hope to be adding lots of new updates soon.

Chrysta
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Visit us at http://www.toadilytoads.com The place on the web where toads come first. Fun and education await toad lovers of all ages.

Yes I read your site and you did say you used soil. I guess since petstore I go to uses paper towels and I saw those pics I assumed you might use both.
I myself use papertowels with my treefrogs but I keep lots of clay potted plants on them. I remove the pots and the paper towels wipe the 20 gallon extra high tank down and replace with new papertowels.
But they are treefrogs that stay above the ground. My toads I use soil to.
Lia