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

[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.

[Tom Highum]

I love these guys eyes.

[John]

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

[stefan]

Hmm, I have to check out the rouls for this species in my country

[TANK]

Great care sheet!
But one question, do you think it would be okay to let the nighttime temps drop down to 60-65 F or would that be too cold for the toad.
The day time temps would be 85F but I was just wondering if I should let the night time temps drop that low.

[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.

[T0ADMAN]

Looks like this thread has been out of use for awhile.
But, I'm new to the site and am looking for more info of this type.

The care guide was great, and I really liked the mention of how to breed them. I would love more details in this regard.
I have a few B. alvarius and have been trying to look into breeding them. Any more info I can find on proper temps and humidity for hibernation, temps and size of rain chamber, water quality and filtration for the eggs and tadpoles, feeding of the tadpoles, etc. would be great.
I have kept mine successfully for years, but have never hibernated them or attempting breeding in any way. I would really hate to risk their health in my attempts.

Since CB individuals are so rare, I would like to be able to breed mine and provide these wonderful toads to some other interested herp enthusiasts.

[toadgal]

Toadman, I am also new to this forum and am looking for the same info you are! If you come up with anything will you let me know? I will do the same for you.

[cre3pyCrawl33]

Since CB individuals are so rare, I would like to be able to breed mine and provide these wonderful toads to some other interested herp enthusiasts.

That would be amazing. I've wanted one of these toads for years. They are unique and interesting animals. I wish you the best of luck. Maybe talk to John. He had some posted not long ago.
-B

[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.

[John]

Arizona won't let anyone take them out of the state legally, so you are limited in your options. Provided you've never kept them with or near (by near I mean in the same building as) other amphibians, it's possible you could release them locally. However, you will want to call Arizona Fish & Game to confirm that releasing them would not be in contravention of local laws. Obviously you can't release them at the moment - it will have to wait until the weather warms up.

You don't have to hibernate them. At that age I would just keep them warm and awake until spring time and provided your inquiries prove positive regarding release, then release them in late March or April when the first spring rainstorms come.

[JMeToadMum]

Arizona won't let anyone take them out of the state legally, so you are limited in your options. Provided you've never kept them with or near (by near I mean in the same building as) other amphibians, it's possible you could release them locally. However, you will want to call Arizona Fish & Game to confirm that releasing them would not be in contravention of local laws. Obviously you can't release them at the moment - it will have to wait until the weather warms up.

You don't have to hibernate them. At that age I would just keep them warm and awake until spring time and provided your inquiries prove positive regarding release, then release them in late March or April when the first spring rainstorms come.

I kind of figured you would say that. I'll research laws about releasing them. Any suggestions on keeping them warm while they are so little? I was thinking about a heat rock as I was afraid a heat lamp might get too hot...?

[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...

[John]

I am not quite sure what a skimmer looks like and how it works, so I can't really answer your question I'm afraid. Can you describe hot it works/moving parts/sharp bits/crushing potential?

[newinAz]

Hi John, Thanks for replying! Basically it's the square cutout you see in any pool where debris floating on the surface of the water is sucked into a basket. Our pool guy says he finds them dead in there once in a while. Last night, I put a large clay bowl filled with water & a few rocks in his pathway to the pool & I didn't find him in the skimmer basket this morn. I moved here a week ago & haven't got a clue as to where to find a pond for him but I'm still inquiring. There's a hotsprings nearby but I don't guess that'd be a good choice. Any suggestions?