Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found a large toad and was thinking of keeping it, but have concerns because of hibernation. I live in NY, so soon it would be starting to hibernate soon. Should you mimic hibernation if you keep them over winter? I never kept one all winter, used to keep for summer and then let them go in late fall. I don't want to do the wrong thing and have it die over winter. What is reccomended or what have others done with success? I figure that it will probably hibernate on its own because animals usually "know" what to do, even in captivity. Any advice would be very helpfull. thank you

If you don't want to hibernate it, you certainly don't have to. If kept at room temperature, the toad will feed throughout the winter months.

It could be hibernated by placing it in a plastic box with airholes and a substrate of damp dirt with a layer of leaves on top. Place the box in an area where the temperature stays cold (55 degrees or less) but above freezing.

Tim

Third Eye

Thanks for the reply Tim. That picture looks just like the toad I found. I will keep him threw winter then. Thanks again.