Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I caught a pair of toads in WI tonight and have to temporarily (for a couple of days) keep them in a plastic critter cage type container. Thanks to anuraanman's good advice in an earlier response to another user's post, I think I've sexed them as a pair. I put damp paper towel as substrate and the one I believe to be male is hugging tightly to the paper towel and wont let go. When I lightly grab him from behind, he vibrates and squeeks and tries to give me a karate style kick while still holding on with a kung fu grip to the paper towel. I assume he is a male. The other doesn't display any similar behavior.

QUESTION: Since it is breeding season, do they need enough water to submerse themselves, normally I figured toads prefer a mostly dry setup. Also, can they use normal tapwater or does it need to be treated. I don't necessarily want them to breed and am not sure if they are even sexually mature, but I want to let them behave normally if at all possible within the limitations of a small captive environment, especially if their health depends on laying eggs or anything like that. ... so far this paper towel seems in for a long night. Thanks all! Adam

The guy grabbing the towel is definitely a male. Take a look at his throat- it should seem dark, due to the folds of the vocal sac beneath the surface. Now look at the other toad's throat; if it doesn't look dark (i.e. is the same color as the belly) it is a female.

Is the other toad fat and swollen? If so she still has eggs. I would return her to her capture site if at all possible. If she is not swollen, she has probably released her eggs already. In that case, go ahead and keep her, and don't worry about an oviposition site.

A moist terrestrial setup is ideal for toads. Compressed coco fiber (Bed-A-Beast, forest soil, etc.) is a good substrate. Provide a hide and a water dish. Plants are nice but not necessary. Toads will happily eat crickets, worms, and other assorted small prey.

Almost forgot-

Do not put the toads in deep water unless there is a place they can easily get out. They drown fairly easily.

Do not use water straight from the tap; treat it with a dechlorinator. Rain water or pond water is also fine.