Head bangin' toad

[kueluck]

As you can see his snout is turning black and I'm guessing this is because he bangs his face into the glass. Is this normal for a male toad? My female does this a little, but not like Rufus does. Just looking to see if this is common and any suggestions. Only the front tank is not see thru, but he doesn't bang on this side, mainly on the back which is fabric lined on the outside, the sides are frosted window film.

[Heatheranne]

Bet he is jumping at his reflection.

[kueluck]

hmmm so maybe if I put cork liner inside he might stop, or at least it would cushion the blow. Or would it just rub the skin off the snout? Heather, have your critters had this issue?

[Heatheranne]

I think it should slough off by itself. It's probably a little bruise.

Yes, if the lights are on when my pac is eating it's very reflective near his side heaters bc they are black. He sometimes jumps at it. Its kinda funny. Luckily he hasn't hurt anything yet. He likely thinks it's another toad.

[Heatheranne]

Or maybe place a plant there to break up the reflective image.

[kueluck]

He doesn't do it in just one spot, it's mainly the back, but also the sides, rarely the front.

[Heatheranne]

Hmmm.

[Whistly]

Toads and frogs will attack the glass if there is something moving on the other side as well. Maybe there is something outside his tank tempting him.

[Wormwood]

Wrapping three sides of the tank with some leafy wrapping paper or tank siding should do the trick to cut down on the reflection. Maybe he's just doing it to try to get out of the tank and having all the sides covered will help him feel more secure, possibly lessening the behavior.

[kueluck]

Thanks guys for all the help. Last night I lined the inside back with white paper. It made a HUGE difference. I guess I'm going to have to sacrifice looks for well being. All for the love of toads! I'm working on a 40 gal breeder tank for them so I think I'm going to line the sides and back half way up with cork. Since the humidity isn't real high for them I think this will be safe, still reading on this. I wish they were as easy to care for like the Cope's are.

[Greg M]

Covering three sides of the tank helps, as does increasing the number of hides. I have noticed that my mature animals more or less stop eating, and look for places to bury at this time of the year. I make sure that the EcoEarth is nice and deep because my guys hide for the winter (despite being kept at about 72 degrees). If they can't find places to hide (in general) or to bury (in winter), mine get a little jumpy...

In addition, if the skin on the nose is broken, try dabbing daily with original Neosporin. It helps with preventing bacterial infection - see "frog first aid article". Do not use the Neosporin plus pain relief - the analgesic is toxic to froggies..

[Heatheranne]

I think the little guy was protecting his territory...from his own reflection . I hope his nose heals up soon.

If you don't like the paper, try some fish tank backing. They have pretty designs, some are even woodsy looking.

Keep us posted .

[kueluck]

I had the woodsy looking background, and they kept trying to climb the rocks in the design.......crazy toads. I think I'm going to line the tank with cork tiles. For now the paper is working just fine until I can finish the larger tank.

[Heatheranne]

Lol! Silly toads . That's a great idea. Nice and cushiony.

[kueluck]

Since I added the paper a few days ago the snout on Rufus already looks better and I haven't put any thing on it, trying to let it heal on it's own if possible.

[Heatheranne]

It does look better , thank goodness.

[kueluck]

The new 40 gal breeder tank for Rufus & Rosie. Used natural cork liner (glass 3.5" edge of cork to top to keep crickets from climbing out) to help with the headbangin' plus added more hides and deeper soil to bury in. So far seems to do the trick. If this doens't make for 2 happy, healthy toads I think I'm going to surrender.

[Badger]

Looks great...Very foresty, I'm sure the toads are gonna love it.

[Poly]

Nice Gail! Looks amazing! I'm going to be doing a similar set-up for my two toads in a 30 gallon long.

[kueluck]

Happy to say the head bangin' is to a minimum & no more blackened snouts. I don't know if it's the cork sheets or they've just gotten use to their abode. Plus when they shed I noticed cleaned snouts also. What ever the case, I'm just happy they appear to be ok.