The gang

[kueluck]

WOOT WOOT!! Rufus graced me with his presence last night and still there this morning. I LOVE TOADS!!!

[Mentat]

Rufus looks great Gail !

[Heatheranne]

So cute! I just love them .

[kueluck]

Got home from work and the neighbor came over with some adult roaches for my WTF's that are to big for her Cope's. I told her Rufus was up but something seemed a little off. We went over to the viv and we found him dead. Sucks, I know, but I look at it this way........ he had 3 years in captivity with fresh water and a full belly. His body showed no sigh of illness or injury so not sure what happened. Debating if I should dig up the other 4 or just let them be and see what time brings me. I told my neighbor and husband that I'm not going to be getting any more toads, since this burrowing thing is not fun. If anything, I'll catch babies in the spring, raise them up over the summer, then release them in the fall. This way I still get a toad fix, plus this will give them a better chance of survival, and don't have the frustration of disappearing for months on end. I know I could just remove about 3 inches of substrate, but would the toads be happy if they can't burrow. I dunno, just a thought.

[Mentat]

I'm very sorry for Rufus death Gail ! Forum has lost a lot of frogs and toads the last couple of weeks .

[Treesniffer]

His quality of life was exceptional. The idea of catch and release restores nature. Rufus will always be remembered.

[flybyferns]

I'm so sorry Gail,

[kueluck]

Thanks guys. I made a short video IMO of Rufus. I didn't think I would, but I acutally shed tears doing this. I'll miss my little Rufus more than I thought I would.
IMO of Rufus the toad - YouTube

[Heatheranne]

Oh no . I'm sorry to hear that. It's hard to know for sure why without a necropsy. It's so sad when we lose them. Twigs passed recently of a cloaca prolapse . Hugs to you for all of your amazing care!

[Heatheranne]

He's so cute!

[Heatheranne]

It's funny how we learn to adore them as they respond to us. They start out as cute little creatures. Then they react to us and learn to tolerate us. Then they learn our presence and come to us for food. Then they are there to greet us. The more they seem to need us, as individuals, the closer to them we become. I think as nurturers we love when we connect with animals. This is how we bond with them . It's a good thing... It allows us to provide for them and have a sense of happiness in return . Caring nurturers .

Rufus was a cutie! You gave him great care! I'm sure he loved his home, his buddies, and all that you gave him .

I'm sorry for the loss of him. He will remain in your finest memories. Big hugs!!! I still miss Twigs too .

[Heatheranne]

Ha ha!!! Cute!

[Heatheranne]

The 2 babies, 2nd one is the tad I raised, Shad & Mesh (3 pics) SheToad decided it was time to eat along with T.Toad & Morph.

I just love your toads . They're adorable!

[kueluck]

So Heather, when are you going to become a keeper of the toads? They will ALWAYS be my favorite non-fuzzy creature.

[Heatheranne]

I loved my toads in the past . I raised and let the little cuties go. They were fun to raise. Golly, I'm not sure. I currently have a frog zoo of 15, lol . I might have to live vicariously through your posts and photos, ha ha!

[kueluck]

SheToad looking more like a Pacman frog than a Southern toad



99% complete on Vern & Vera's 18x18x24.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

Is that runway?
that is one proud looking toad.

[kueluck]

Oh no, Runway is no where near that big, and Ruway & T.Toad are Fowlers, That's SheToad, she's a Southern. I got her from a reptile rescue at the last show attended. A little boy could no longer keep her so he turned her into the local reptile rescue. I asked them why they just didn't release her in their backyard? He said they did, but she wouldn't leave so they put her up for adoption.

Is that runway?
that is one proud looking toad.

[kueluck]

I plopped some small butterworms on the rock outside the cork hide and T.Toad came out. So when she tucked back it I had to see who else was under there.
Left to right is T.Toad, SheToad and Morph on the right. Runway still underground.

[Heatheranne]

Great catch, Gail! And quick acting!

You may have to strip down your tank floor/ substrate. Keep it bare til she heals.