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

[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.

[John]

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

That was what I was trying to say in a slightly more subtle fashion :P.

[Ra]

Interesting. Likewise, would you say the south american hunters that gather vemon from the poison arrow frogs are partaking in animal abuse as well? Just curious to get peoples take on things, not trying to stir any controversy.

[John]

I think hunting for food trumps the frog.

[Kurt]

And besides there are not in the US so they are not under our laws, and the frogs aren't really harmed in the process.

[John]

Added the toadlet size comparison photo and the side-on toadlet photo.

[jelkins]

Hey. I'm interested in hearing from people who have bred this species in captivity? I'd appreciate hearing about their methodology and whether or not they use gonadotropin injections or cycled them naturally.

Thanks.

[mab63t]

Attn John,
Great pictures of the Bufo Alvarius! Did you take them yourself?
I have some questions about getting my aquarium/terrarium set up for one but I see the last postings were a year old. Are you still available for questions? I am posting today for the first time and I thank you for the welcome into the forums. I saw this article of yours a month ago ---and certainly didn't think I'd get a welcome from yourself!
Thanx.
Tod

[JMeToadMum]

John, thank you for the information regarding the Sonoran Desert Toad. I recently rescued 20 tadpoles from a gal I work with that was keeping them in tap water. It has been 3 months and I now have 14 Sonoran Desert Toadlets, yes, I have FOURTEEN. Per your care sheet, I'm doing a good job of taking care of them. It is time for hibernating, so far one has made his/her way there. I am wondering if you have any suggestions on places that would take them (zoos, herpetological societies, etc) that would care for them. After quite a bit of research I have found that they might be endangered? Any suggestions or info you can provide would be wonderful! I am in Phoenix, AZ.

[newinAz]

One of these guys lives in a crack seperating my patio from my cooldeck. He comes out at 9:30 sharp every night & heads for the pool. My skimmer comes on at 7am & I go yank the basket & dump him back near his 'crack' where he backs in. Should I be concerned about him being harmed in the skimmer or just leave him alone? I was thinking maybe I should ask around as to the whereabouts of a desert pond? I'm worried about him...

[cdave89]

^{i just recently got one of these awesome toads and had a few care questions and was hoping some one could help me out.
1) is it ok to keep a red animal light on the toad at night ? It gets kind of cold in my house at night and i want to keep his cage warm i use a blue one durnign the day.
2) is it ok to feed him other frogs? I was thinking like the simple fish take frogs that you buy at the pet store i have been feeding him crickets and large catapillers but want to give him a treat.
3) how do i telll if it is male or female i have just been calling him he but i really am not sure.
Thank you much}