new and have questions

[amber1003]

Mt nephew was given a fire belly toad from friend. I went out and got a small habitat from the pet store till next week when i can buy something bigger. He got him yesterday and we gave him some crickets today and he did not eat them, they just ended up drowning in the water part. Is he not eating because he is in a new environment? should we buy another one for company? How long can he go withput eating before I should worry?

Thanks in advance for any advice

[Frog Mom]

I have seen it recommended on here that you cover three sides of the container to help them feel secure while they are adjusting to the new environment. I guess sometimes they take awhile to eat during the adjustment phase.

[Firebelly love]

Your toad may not be eating because he is adjusting to the new environment, my new toads don't eat for 3-4 days after I get them! And getting another toad is up to you, they tend to be more lively when in groups. How many toads you get also depends on the size of the tank. I don't think you should worry just try to feed him one cricket every day until finally he eats one.

[LilyPad]

Welcome to the forum Amber! It will probably take a few days to eat, if you are worried about the crickets drowning in the meantime, you could try the bowl feeding method. Put the crickets in a glass bowl that your frog can access. They shouldn't be able to get out. That way you can keep a good eye on it. Also try to give him a bit of privacy and don't "helicopter" over him while he is adjusting. If you get a bigger habitat, you could definitely add another one in there. I would say you can safely put 2 or 3 in a 10 gallon tank. Good luck!

[bshmerlie]

The crickets should not be any bigger than the distance between his eyes.

[LilyPad]

I even thought about that when I was typing Cheri...and totally forgot to put it in there! Such a good point to stress, if the crickets are too big, the frog might not even attempt to get them. If it does get one, it could be harmful when it is too big, causing choking or impaction.

[JeffX]

Everyone has brought up some great points for you. You could also try worms as well. Mine loved them, but feed them sparingly and only for a treat. I'd go with waxworms myself.

[s6t6nic6l]

I have seen it recommended on here that you cover three sides of the container to help them feel secure while they are adjusting to the new environment. I guess sometimes they take awhile to eat during the adjustment phase.

any hiding spot in the housing will be suffice i.e. halved tiny plant pot on side or such like.

Your toad may not be eating because he is adjusting to the new environment, my new toads didn't eat for 3-4 days after I got them! And getting another toad is up to you, they tend to be more lively when in groups. How many toads you get also depends on the size of the tank. I don't think you should worry just try to feed him one cricket every day until finally he eats one.

agreed. you will benefit from a group of these toads as they will become more active (and vocal) than having a sad and lonely critter. the more floor space you can provide will help by having a decent land/water area to benefit from. a ratio of 60/40 i find as worked well with mine.

Welcome to the forum Amber! It will probably take a few days to eat, if you are worried about the crickets drowning in the meantime, you could try the bowl feeding method. Put the crickets in a glass bowl that your frog can access. They shouldn't be able to get out. That way you can keep a good eye on it. Also try to give him a bit of privacy and don't "helicopter" over him while he is adjusting. If you get a bigger habitat, you could definitely add another one in there. I would say you can safely put 2 or 3 in a 10 gallon tank. Good luck!

yes welcome. and good points raised

The crickets should not be any bigger than the distance between his eyes.

total nonsense i'm afraid. how this notion came about i don't know, but try watching any wild fbt's and you will see them eating anything upto half their body size. (i feed mine with 1/3 size food with no complications like choking etc. if the food is to big it will leave it alone or cough it back up if too big to swallow. why do people think captive animals are any different to any wild ones in the same scenario. .
anyway, with rant over , good luck with the toad and the others you will be getting too for company
cheers
nic