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
    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
    Is it okay to put flowers in a toad's habitat?
    Community Answer
    Most flowers are fine for toads. However, a few may be toxic or irritating to them: geraniums, honeysuckle, azaleas, hydrangeas, hyacinths and daffodils.
  • 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
    Do fire belly toads make noise?
    Community Answer
    Yes, male fire belly toads have a mating call. It can be surprising at first because, instead of croaking like a typical frog, their mating call sounds more like a deep barking noise.
  • Question
    How much food should I give my toad? If I buy 100g of mealworms, how many should I feed it?
    Plushie Pulse
    Community Answer
    Feed adult toads 3-6 medium-sized mealworms every 2-3 days, adjusting based on size and species. Juveniles need a few mealworms daily for growth. Ensure fresh water is available and remove uneaten food to prevent spoilage.
  • Question
    How can I tell the difference between a toad and a regular frog?
    jackson
    Community Answer
    Toads have lumpy skin and typically jump 1-3 feet, while frogs have smooth skin and can jump 1-7 feet.
  • Question
    What time of night should I look for toads?
    Plushie Pulse
    Community Answer
    To find toads, the best time is usually at night when they are most active, particularly a couple of hours after sunset. Aim for warmer, humid evenings when the air temperature is at least 50°F (10°C), as toads are cold-blooded and rely on the environment to regulate their body temperature. Spring and summer are prime toad-hunting seasons, especially after a rain when they may emerge to forage or mate. Remember to bring a flashlight and tread lightly to spot these hoppy friends without startling them.
  • Question
    How do I care for a frog in a jar?
    Plushie Pulse
    Community Answer
    Caring for a frog in a jar is a temporary measure and should only be for short observation periods. Ensure the frog's health by punching small air holes in the lid for ventilation, lining the jar with moist paper towels, providing leaves or bark for shelter, keeping the jar at a comfortable room temperature away from direct sunlight, and only feeding appropriate insects like small crickets if the stay exceeds a couple of days. Release the frog back into its natural habitat as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours.
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