Sonoran Desert Toad / Colorado River Toad, Bufo alvarius aka Ollotis alvaria - Care Information and Breeding

[SludgeMunkey]

Hippies

Very interesting reading! Thank you.

[John]

Added the mating/spawning photo.

[btaylorbarton]

I live in southernish Arizona and to be honest, I've never even considered keeping one of these toads as a pet...now I'll have to think about it. They run rampant in my yards this time of year and I spend alot of my time getting them out of the yard so my small dogs won't be poisoned. We do keep childrens liquid benedryl on hand at all times just in case the dog's curiosity gets the best of them. I've always loved the way they look but after experiencing the reaction my dogs have had to their secretions I've never had it in mind to handle them. I'm glad I read your article and posts about them, now I won't be so unsure and freaked about touching them in getting them out of harm's way.

[John]

Thank you for the insight BTaylorBarton. Yes don't be afraid of them, just don't put your hands near your mouth or eyes after handling them, and of course wash your hands well afterwards. There is good evidence that toads become less and less inclined to release poison the more contact with humans they have (handling, seeing).

[Ra]

I'm confused. It's if it illegal to take these toads out of Arizona, how do people purchase them legally?
When the zoo keeper squeezes the venom out of the toad, does it harm the toad?
I'd smoke the venom once.

[John]

I'm confused. It's if it illegal to take these toads out of Arizona, how do people purchase them legally?

They don't purchase them legally - they are all illegal unless captive bred, and I very much doubt any of those claiming "CB" are actually captive bred. So with the exception of the elusive "truly" captive bred, all of those being sold to people outside of Arizona are illegally collected or exported, be it from Arizona, New Mexico or Mexico (they are protected in Mexico too).

When the zoo keeper squeezes the venom out of the toad, does it harm the toad?

No, but that toad was used to people - a wild toad would suffer a lot more stress because it's being "abused" by a large mammal that it thinks will eat it.

I'd smoke the venom once.

You had best find a country where that's legal then.

[Kurt]

You had best find a country where that's legal then.

I am pretty sure its not legal any where in the US. Its a controlled substance and you can do time for its possesion.