Results 1 to 14 of 14

Thread: heating for american toads?

  1. #1

    Question heating for american toads?

    so I didn't previously have a UTH, I read there was no need for one and my house doesn't get all that cold... but I was wondering if I should get one? I think it would help with digestion and keeping them comfortable

    I have concerns though, will a UTH make it too hot or humid?

  2. # ADS
    Circuit advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Posts
    Many
     

  3. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Nationality
    [United States]
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    77

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    Active toads that are feeding prefer a body temperature around 80 degrees F. I'm thinking your house doesn't get that warm so your going to need some additional heat, preferably from an overhead heat source.

  4. #3
    100+ Post Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Nationality
    [United Kingdom]
    Location
    Scotland
    Age
    27
    Posts
    1,134
    Blog Entries
    1
    Picture Albums: Member Photo Albums

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    A heat mat should be fine, they will get hot and this is why they must always be used with a thermostat. They should also be used on the side as toads burrow, if you put it on the bottom this will confuse them.

  5. #4

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    Quote Originally Posted by jasonm96 View Post
    A heat mat should be fine, they will get hot and this is why they must always be used with a thermostat. They should also be used on the side as toads burrow, if you put it on the bottom this will confuse them.
    so attach the UTH to the SIDE of the enclosure? and yeah I do plan on using a thermostat, sorry I forgot to mention that! I have leopard geckos so I know it's important to have a thermostat cause without it it'll get waaay too hot and have fire risks as well as a risk to the animals' health.

  6. #5

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    Quote Originally Posted by JButera View Post
    Active toads that are feeding prefer a body temperature around 80 degrees F. I'm thinking your house doesn't get that warm so your going to need some additional heat, preferably from an overhead heat source.
    ah yeah, I'll definitely get a UTH then. I don't think they need a light, in fact it would probably just stress them out since it'd be light all the time

  7. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Nationality
    [United States]
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    77

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    who said to leave it on all the time? If your running a deep substrate for burrowing then nothing beats an overhead heat source.
    Last edited by JButera; October 13th, 2015 at 12:25 AM.

  8. #7
    100+ Post Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Nationality
    [United Kingdom]
    Location
    Scotland
    Age
    27
    Posts
    1,134
    Blog Entries
    1
    Picture Albums: Member Photo Albums

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    Glad to hear that's exactly why but I've seen too many people using them without. IMO I don't think you'd need more heat mat as room temp is normally enough, they don't need to be kept over 70F by what I've read and the temperature at night can go down pretty low. I think you should provide a full spectrum light and even that itself might raise the temperature slightly, so try that before getting the heat mat. If you do need a heat mat, it can be applied to the side or back and should cover no more than half the wall.

  9. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Nationality
    [United States]
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    77

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    The problem with no additional heat is there's no 'choices' available to the animal. IMO a proper enclosure for any herp is one that has choices, then the animal gets to decide what it needs.

  10. #9
    100+ Post Member monster's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Nationality
    [Canada]
    Location
    Barrie,ON
    Posts
    1,326

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    I don't own any American toads and haven't read a lot about them so cant really give any input on this one but heres the care article on the site which is a pretty good one from what I understand if you haven't already read it. http://www.frogforum.net/content.php...ytes-Pelobates

  11. #10
    100+ Post Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Nationality
    [United Kingdom]
    Location
    Scotland
    Age
    27
    Posts
    1,134
    Blog Entries
    1
    Picture Albums: Member Photo Albums

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    @Jbutera Good point, you're right but I wouldn't provide a warmer area if temperatures are at the high end to begin with. I must admit I had to open my book to read into the care of this species but I've kept toads and thought I could maybe help a bit in general

  12. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Nationality
    [United States]
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    77

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    tbh my toad raising experience ain't much, but I've kept a lot of reptiles and learned that giving *choices* (within reason) seems to be the best practice IMO. Let them get as hot as they want and as cool as they want, the same with them getting really dry or really wet or being visible or invisible. It's probably stupid for me to assume that everyone's room temperature is exactly 70 degrees F but I use that as a control and if that's the case with Stolzieren then I would definitely add some heat based on the numerous papers that state toads prefer a warmer bt when feeding.

  13. #12
    100+ Post Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Nationality
    [United Kingdom]
    Location
    Scotland
    Age
    27
    Posts
    1,134
    Blog Entries
    1
    Picture Albums: Member Photo Albums

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    Aw yeah, I know what you're saying and I would say that's a good way of doing things as it puts microclimates in the terrarium. Usually the average room temp is around that more or less. Toads do the nightshift and hide most of the day, so I'd imagine would be a lot cooler but it all comes down to the species and what they've adapted to. I'm sure if I were to put one of my local toads in a tank and put a spot a temp of 80f they'd freak out cos it's more like 50-60f here lol

  14. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Nationality
    [United States]
    Location
    NYC
    Posts
    77

    Wink Re: heating for american toads?

    True about the night shift *not all though* but most come out soon after the sun departs which leaves plenty of warm things behind. In addition many american toads hide under thin layers of leaves and/or burrow under the soil just enough to cover their skin sometimes leaving their eyes exposed. IMO I think they're warming up (overhead heat source) without the risk of drying out or being seen, preparing for an evening of eating & digesting.

  15. #14
    100+ Post Member Larry Wardog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Nationality
    [United States]
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    1,394
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: heating for american toads?

    How big is the enclosure? I have American toads and kept one successfully last year and she is still going strong right now. A ceramic heat emitter 60 W if the enclosure is big enough could heat the enclosure. Uth gets the enclosure around 2-7 degrees warmer. My WTF tank has one and that's where my info is on that. A ceramic heat emitter if placed well by observing how hot it makes the enclosure could work. No added light. But make sure it's placed far enough away that it hits the temp you want or it can bake the enclosure. I'm using a 100W for a 75 Gallon. Have not yet but I will tonight. It is in a hallway with little heat. Hope this helps


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 5
    Last Post: May 24th, 2014, 01:56 AM
  2. Need help with American toads.
    By tonya4037 in forum Pacman Frogs
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: November 6th, 2013, 07:27 PM
  3. Do bumblebee walking toads need lighting/heating??
    By Amphibian Mystery in forum Toads
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: March 11th, 2013, 10:42 AM
  4. american toads
    By matt palm in forum Toads
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: April 20th, 2012, 10:56 PM
  5. american toads
    By greene in forum Toads
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: April 5th, 2012, 11:30 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •