Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Tonight I found these guys (or girls) outside my job and since skateboarders zoom through there alot I figured it's be nice to take them home with me and figure out what they were.
After checking a few sites I believe they are Woodhouse Toads, though I can not be 100% positive on that! Anyone here have any experience with them?
Can these be kept as pets? At the moment I have them in a 10 gal. aquarium with sphagnum peat moss and some soil as substrate along with a shallow water dish.I really don't know much about them and if they can be kept together...There are 3 of them in total.
Any advice on them would be great as I'd love to keep them inside, but if not....they will have a home in my garden.
Many thanks!

Yes, they can be kept together, but they'd be much happier in a bigger tank. A ten is ok for one toad but more than that and they feel cramped. They could well be bufo woodhousei. It's hard to tell for sure from the pics. Care is the same, though.
http://www.toadilytoads.com

-----
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.

Thanks for replying, ToadilyToads! I have been checking out your site since I saw the link on another thread. You seem to be quite the toad expert! In fact I am still looking at the photo galleries. You pictures definately show that these guys have a ton of personality
I can defiantely do a larger tank...in fact that would be better for me since I am going to suprise my bf with a Pacman for Xmas (he's been wanting one for 3 years, so its definately an informed decision). I can get them out of what was going to be the Pacman's house and into the 55 gal thats just sitting in my garage. That should be large enough for them, shouldn't it?
Also, what do you think would be the best substrate? I saw that you use organic soil, is that the same as the organic soil you can use for gardening? Or is it something that you have to get at a pet store? I checked out the ones here and none carry anything that resembles soil. When I was reading about their natural habitat it says they prefer sandy areas, should I give them a 1/2 sand 1/2 soil substrate (sand on one side and soil on the other).
I was very worried that they wouldn't eat, since they were "wild" but I bought 2 doz crickets (1 doz large and 1 doz pinhead) and all were eagerly eanten, I am assuming that is a good sign. How often and how much should they be fed? And what?
Well I guess I will let this end here so I can go dig out the other aquarium (its actually acrylic and has a mostly acrylic top that should keep it nice and humid

Glad you like the site. I think it will be down this weekend because they're upgrading the servers.

A 55 galloon is perfect. The soil comes from gardening stores, yes. The other choice is to use either eco-earth or bed-a-beast which are coconut fiber. Frankly, I'd use those for a pacman. That stuff retains moisture longer which is really good for pacmans. Toads don't live in the humid conditions of most frogs. We mist our tanks every few days for the toads, but every day for the pacmans.

Feed them every couple of days. Toss in a bunch of crickets and worms.

Sounds like you are on the right track with the toads.

Chrysta

PS: Woodhouseies are fine in soil without sand. Sand is sometimes suspect in impaction cases and also in being a place where organisms get introduced to the tank. Me, I wouldn't bother with the sand, but if you do, do your research first.
Toadily Toads

-----
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.

Chrysta,
Well they seem to be happy right now. They are in the 55 with 3 "pools" and a hot pink Igloo (which they don't go in...but love to sit on), they have a Pothos vine (which they trample) and a little tree that over hangs one of the bigger pools. We have fed them crickets and meal worms but are going to get some regular worms for them as the mealies were not very active. Today I got some some tiny Rosy Red Minnows from the pet store and tossed in the pools...so far no interest but maybe And boy can those toads eat! Its their favorite thing
We also have Money toads in their tank with them. Its so funny when they sit next to them or better yet, ON them.
Thanks for all the advice and your site is great!!!
~Jessi

I'm so glad you like the site and I am always glad to help people get started with keeping toads. It sounds like your toads will be very happy with you.

One further bit of advice; eliminate the mealworms from the diet. Mealworms are good for large reptiles, perhaps, but not generally recommended for small amphibians. They have hard shells and sharp teeth. A huge debate rages amoung keepers about it, but I'm in the camp that says, no mealworms. I've had bad experiences with them and dead toads.

Toads do love to eat, for sure, but now that the cooler weather and shorter days are coming, they will begin to eat less and burrow more. That's normal toad behavior.

email me if you have any more questions. Oh, and I'd love to see pics of your tank.

Chrysta
Toadily Toads

-----
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.