How many crickets for a little toad?

[Mystyn]

Last week my boys found a little toad and we decided to keep him for a bit. He seems to be doing well, and I've read all sorts of care sheets, but I'm not entirely sure how many crickets to feed him. I've been giving him 4-5 small to medium ones a night. Most mornings they are all gone- tonight he ate 5 in a few minutes, he must've been really hungry! He's fairly small, similar in size to the toad that was posted earlier today by another member.

I think he's an American Toad- but not certain. He's from Northern Virginia.

He's been great to watch at night, we're really enjoying him. Any advice for caring for him through the fall and winter? Are we best to let him free?

sorry it's not a great pic, he's covered in dirt... but here's Captain Toad! Thanks for sharing your advice!

[atlantiselliott]

Very cute, feed him 5-10 crickets a week. Make sure that they have reptile cal on them before you feed them. Good luck

[kueluck]

Frog Forum - Toad Basics - Keeping ground-dwelling Toads. A care sheet for Bufo, Anaxyrus, Spea, Scaphiopus, Ollotis, Alytes, Pelobates

Please read this in full before moving forward with your toad. I've found that the toads do very well on red runner roaches, earthworms (you can cut these up for the little guys), butterworms & waxworms (for treats) and crickets. During the winter I've had some go underground in their tanks for months on end and pop back up when hungry or to soak. Others have been up all winter long. Just always have fresh live food available for them. As Eliott said make sure you are dusting the food with calcium twice a week for toads (they grow slower than frogs) and also make sure you have a multi vitamin that contains Vit A or your toad may develop short tongue syndrome and can not catch the food. Use this also twice a week. Do not use the powders on the same day since the calcium will absorb everything else and the toad will not receive the benefits of the multi vitamin. Also you feed them DAILY and as much as they want to eat. A fat toad is a healthy happy toad.