Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 55 gallon tank which is set up 1/2 land,1/2 water, and I have 5 Fire Belly Toads in it. All they do all day is try to escape from their cage. They climb on top of each other, climb up plants, power cords, the waterfall, and even make bold leaps to try to grab on to the top of the tank. One toad actually got out once, and I found him a few days later, alive and well, and returned him to the tank. I have tried to make the cage as unescapable as possible, but I am afraid that their persistence will once again pay off. My question is why? Why do they do this and does this happen to everyone that owns these little guys? It is very amusing to watch, but I worry when I am not home that I will come home to an empty cage. Any advice or similiar stories would be a great help.
Also, what other creatures could I put in this tank that will get along with my toad? (I have a betta in the water)

No other creatures can be housed with FBTs. Because of the toad's toxins anything else will eventually die.

Maybe your toads are trying to escape from the betta, it could be causing stress on the toads. When mine go in the water they like to "hang out" and be still, I don't know how that would be possible with a betta swimming all around.

well i in the first weeks i had my firebellys 2 of them found a way to escape. one of them escaped twice and was found both times, still got him. then i fixed it with ducktape. one got out and was never found. that was probibly more then 2 months ago i havent even found a body yet. now i have it fixed i hope. they were escaping through the hole where the power cord comes into my tank so i fixed it with a washer. since then i have had no escapees.

but 2 night ago when i did a a good cleaning i really stressed them out. i hadent seen them that stressed since i got them. and the smallest was climbing the side of the glass. just do your best to make it escape proof.

for housing other animals, NO! the beta is a very agressive fish right? how deep is your water? they dont need any more then 5 inches. if you want to put fish in put some feeder guppies in. chances are they wont catch em and if they do its only like $.99 gone.

aj
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Click Here to See My Dart Tank In The Making UPDATED 6.15.03 SPOILER! Still Needs Moss View At Your Own Risk

kungfu28181: My god. You are insane. -Mon Jun 30 21:41:05

Thanks for the advice. I never thought that the betta would bother them. I have seen the toads floating in the water and the betta doesn't even seem to notice them. I will take him out and see what happens.
My water is about 4 inches deep in the deepest parts, and then gradually goes up to a little "beach".
I just purchased a brown FBT, which I have never seen before. Is this a different kind or what?
I will try the feeder fish. Some of them are kind of pretty and I feel bad for the little guys at the pet store..

Your toads are trying to escape because something in their tank is bothering them,get rid of the fish alltogether.It doesn't matter if it is a betta or a guppy,fish will stress your toads,and it will stress the fish who will eventually die from the toads toxins anyway.If you want fish then get them their own tank.

well i have talked to some folks whom have had guppies (not many in numbers) in their tank(s) for a year or better and they are still alive. if you do water changes like you should the toxins shouldnt be a problem. well depending on how much water area and such any ways.
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Click Here to See My Dart Tank In The Making UPDATED 6.15.03 SPOILER! Still Needs Moss View At Your Own Risk

kungfu28181: My god. You are insane. -Mon Jun 30 21:41:05

I agree with Waldo. The main reasons critters try to get out is to get away from something they don't like, it's not because they think the grass is greener...

Maybe it's too warm, or too cold. Maybe it's too dry or too damp. If you remedy whatever is bothering your toads, and make them comfortable, they'll probably stop trying to escape.

I think I'd have to agree with Pur. You may want to try moving the betta and see if that makes a difference. Betta fish are an agressive fish and can be nippy toward other things in the tank. If the Betta is bothering with the toads (like trying to nibble on their toes and such) it could very well be stressing the toads and driving them to want to escape.
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Heather

I have two newts in with my toads. I can't remeber the names of them, but one is a dark brown with a white brown stomach and one is a black with an orange and black stomach like the toads. I've had them in with my five toads for over a year and they seem to be doing fine.

Jenn

I've had three escape, one i found the body the other i found alive three months after he escaped and today one got out when i was cleaning his tank but i caught him .