Q&A for How to Care for a Toad

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  • Question
    How do I feed baby toads that are only a few weeks old?
    Community Answer
    Give your baby toad small waxworms (cut their head off; do the same with mealworms), small slugs, crickets, and also small potato bugs.
  • Question
    Why do I need to cut the heads off the mealworms before giving them to my frog?
    Community Answer
    The mealworms can eat their way out of the frog if they happen to survive the initial swallow, so you want to avoid this.
  • Question
    Can I release a toad in the winter?
    Community Answer
    Absolutely not, as it will freeze to death. If you want to get rid of the toad before winter, release it a few months ahead of time to let it adapt to the weather, and it will naturally, hibernate as it feels the weather changing.
  • Question
    Can I keep a wild toad as a pet?
    Community Answer
    You can, but be sure it's harmless.
  • Question
    Are you able to breed toads?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but first look up and see how old they are and their breed. If they are are too old, they will not breed.
  • Question
    Is it okay to let my toad roam around my room?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as you supervise them to ensure that they are not getting into anything dangerous.
  • Question
    How can I tell the age of my coastal plain toad?
    Anaka Blackwood
    Community Answer
    It may be difficult to determine the age of a toad, but checking its size, weight, and how inflated its belly is may reveal its approximate age.
  • Question
    Can toads eat vegetables?
    Community Answer
    No -- only crickets, potato bugs, worms, and wax worms.
  • Question
    Which types of toads are not poisonous?
    Marlsbad
    Community Answer
    None. Any true toad is going to be poisonous.
  • Question
    Why does my toad pee on me if I pick it up?
    Community Answer
    This is one of the toad's self-defense tactics. Once it gets used to getting picked up, it may stop peeing on you.
  • Question
    Can I catch a wild toad, keep it for a few months and then release it?
    Community Answer
    Not the best idea to confine a wild toad. They are happy in their natural environment, so its best to just leave them be.
  • Question
    Can toads be found in mulch?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they can be found in mulch.
  • Question
    Are Western toads poisonous?
    Community Answer
    The Western toad secretes a mild poison from its paratoid glands and warts, but is hunted by coyotes, raccoons, skunks, foxes, ravens and some snakes.
  • Question
    Can I keep a toad that I catch in the wild as a pet?
    Community Answer
    No, as it could be endangered.
  • Question
    Can I pick up a toad?
    Community Answer
    You can, but they may pee on you or try to attack you. Therefore, it is not recommended to pick them up.
  • Question
    We live in a forest in Minnesota, where I caught a toad from the wild. He seems pretty happy with me, can I keep him?
    Community Answer
    It's always best to let wild animals roam free in their natural environment.
  • Question
    What do I feed mini toads?
    FutureHow
    Community Answer
    You can feed them ants or little chunks of worms. You can also start a breeding farm of fruit flies, which are the most popular food for them.
  • Question
    Can I keep a Australian cane toad?
    Community Answer
    This is not a pleasant creature to keep as a pet, as it has poisonous glands across its skin, so it should not be handled without gloves. Nor is it Australian. It's a toad from Central & South America that was introduced to Australia, where it has become a major pest. Check your local DNR for rules about keeping it but really think hard before considering keeping it as a "pet."
  • Question
    Can I feed spiders to my coastal plain toad?
    kingbooglyboo read3r
    Community Answer
    Yes. Just make sure that they are not venomous. However, the best thing to feed your toads would be earthworms. They do not require dusting as they are packed with nutrients.
  • Question
    Can I keep a baby toad for a few weeks, then release it?
    FutureHow
    Community Answer
    No, you should either make a commitment and keep it or not take care of it at all. If can have a bad physiological effect on the toad if you release it after you've taken care of it.
  • Question
    if there's a toad in my yard, can I keep it?
    FutureHow
    Community Answer
    You shouldn't, if you do not do your research on how to take care of a toad, then it will most likely die. Also, captive-bred toads are much calmer then wild-caught toads. It could even be illegal where you live to take a wild toad and keep it.
  • Question
    Are toads social creatures? Do they prefer to be alone?
    Community Answer
    They prefer to be alone. That is why they hunt at night, because there is more food and fewer predators and other creatures about. If you are keeping one, give it something to hide in to make it more comfortable.
  • Question
    How long can a toad live without food?
    Community Answer
    Adult frogs can survive for extended periods (3–4 weeks) without feeding if their quarters are clean, but long-term survival requires feeding the equivalent of 10–12 full-grown crickets two to three times a week.
  • Question
    I have a wild toad problem. About two weeks ago a load of toads got massacred and there are only a few left. Some of them keep getting in the way on paths and gravel tracks. What should I do?
    Camren Clark
    Community Answer
    Find a popular crossing area and make a nature bridge/tunnel. This way they can cross safely.
  • Question
    Our toad has been burrowed under his log for five days. We thought he was dead and then saw him breathing, and a couple other times he moved. Now he appears to be dead. We can’t see to check his breathing.
    Camren Clark
    Community Answer
    Try gently lifting the log just enough to see if he's breathing. If he's still alive, make sure he has food and water.
  • Question
    I have a badly wounded toad. He doesn't move much due to his wound which is probably painful. How do I make him as comfortable as possible until he passes away naturally?
    Camren Clark
    Community Answer
    Soften the ground where he lives and keep things quiet in that area. This will make it easier for him to walk and help him to be calm.
  • Question
    Why can't you handle your toad very often?
    Adfarquharson
    Community Answer
    There are a few reasons. One is that if you handle them every five seconds, then you can stress them and even kill them. But if you are handling them to clean their tank or move them to feed them, etc., then it is fine to hold them. Just make sure you don't have anything on your hands (lotion, sanitizers, etc.) and wash your hands before and after touching them.
  • Question
    What breed of toad is a good pet?
    Adfarquharson
    Community Answer
    American toads are the easiest but there are a lot more out there that you can look into getting just make sure to do your research on the breed you get. Some others are red-belly toad, oak toad, fire toad, etc. Do more research first.
  • Question
    Can you house a reptile with a toad?
    Adfarquharson
    Community Answer
    No, Reptiles like snakes, lizards, turtles will most likely try to eat a toad. You can house more than one toad together - just make sure you have a big enough tank.
  • Question
    Can I use regular dirt for my toad's enclosure?
    Adfarquharson
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Just don't use potting soil with the chemicals in it. However, if it is normal dirt from outside, it should fine. Just make sure there are no chemicals (they often look like little white/green beads), as these can harm the toad.
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