So,

I've been looking for a way to jump-start the process of putting my fire-bellies in the mood, but before I can do that, I have another question!

(As a quick background, I've got two twenty-gallon long vivariums with five frogs each.)

Can anyone give hard, fast differences between male and female toads? I've read the following about each:

You know it's male if:

1: It croaks regularly to attract a mate.
2: It attempts amplexus with another toad.

It's typically a male if:

1: Its back is bumpier/wartier.
2: The webbing on its feet is higher--that is, there's more webbing on the back feet.
3: The forearms become thicker, especially during mating season.
4: The head has a more squarish shape.

You know it's a female if:

1: It doesn't protest during amplexus, drags a male into the water, and lays eggs.

It's typically a female if:

1: It's back is smoother.
2: The webbing on its feet is lower--that is, the toes seem less webbed, like ours.
3: The forearms are smaller, thinner, and contain no "breeding pads" (which I'm still not sure how to identify well.)
4: The head is more pear-shaped or rounded and the toad is larger overall.

So, I've read these things, but what I'm really looking for is a series of pictures that distinguish males clearly from females. I've seen a few that draw the comparison, but the distinctions are blurry at best. Does anyone have any toads feeling amorous and either gravid/stimulated for breeding?

I'm able to identify at least some of my males by their regular chirping and amplexing, but I'm not sure about the other toad. I know that I have at least three males in the left tank and two in the right tank (based on amplexing). However, in the left tank, every single toad has been unresponsive to the breeding attempts made by the advancing males and has given the "release call." I haven't personally seen all of the toads in the right tank spurn the advances of the males, but I guess it goes without saying that I don't have any eggs, so there's clearly been no successful mating.

So, can anyone post pictures of their males vs. females? I've read that some of you have had breeding success, so you must be able to ID their gender now.

The periodic "rainstorms", warm weather, and 2/3 - 3/4 water set-up have definitely gotten all of the males in the mood! So, I just need to figure out if my ladies are actually gentlemen, or if they're just saving themselves for Lawrence Toadlivier?

So, to recap, pictures and special gender ID tricks would be most helpful!

Thanks!

FrogNewt

P.S. (If you DO have extra breeding stimulation tricks, feel free to pass those along as well!)

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