Frog or Toad.... Help

[brunomoki]

I found what I believe to be a toad in Northern Utah and brought him home. Set up a toad habitat for him. After observing him sit in the water for a few days I am wondering if he might be a frog. We have him eating crickets if they are at the edge of the water. He will not leave the water to get them.And he gets scared if I reach in and try to move them to the edge of the water. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[GrifTheGreat]

Looks like an American Toad(Bufo americanus). What are you using for substrate?

[Heatheranne]

I'm thinking maybe a Western Toad?

[brunomoki]

It looks like shredded coconut? The whole set up including substrate was given to me be a neighbor who used to have a toad. Do toads need any extra heat?

[Hoppity100]

Toads like mud. It probably would not mind heat. Do you have part land and part water? I'd make the habitat as natural as you can. I have 4 FB frogs in a 10 gal tank with small water heater. They also have 60% water 40% land with plants, driftwood, treehouse, pebbles and smooth rocks, eco earth fiber substrate, and a small terra cotta pot for hiding. Do you have worms? These guys love to hide and burrow. They like live moss, too. Both frogs and toads like water. Hope this helps.

[Sunshine]

Here is a care sheet for toads. Hope this helps Frog Forum - Toad Basics - Keeping ground-dwelling Toads. A care sheet for Bufo, Anaxyrus, Spea, Scaphiopus, Ollotis, Alytes, Pelobates

[UncleChester]

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

List of Frogs and Toads of Utah: Association of Zoos and Aquariums - Frogs and Toads in Utah

Yours is a close match to the picture of the Western Toad in the link above (as Heather has suggested) and matches the description. Yours doesn't seem to fit the colouration of the Woodhouse (which seems to require dark spots), which is the only other Utah Toad that comes close (edit- missed the Great Plains Toad, same problem it wants dark spots). American Toads don't make it that far west.

[GrifTheGreat]

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

List of Frogs and Toads of Utah: Association of Zoos and Aquariums - Frogs and Toads in Utah

Yours is a close match to the picture of the Western Toad in the link above (as Heather has suggested) and matches the description. Yours doesn't seem to fit the colouration of the Woodhouse (which seems to require dark spots), which is the only other Utah Toad that comes close (edit- missed the Great Plains Toad, same problem it wants dark spots). American Toads don't make it that far west.

I see. Hmm I'm mistaken. It looks a lot like the American Toad the Nature Center has here, but if their natural range doesn't reach that far then it can't be an Americanus.

[UncleChester]

I see. Hmm I'm mistaken. It looks a lot like the American Toad the Nature Center has here, but if their natural range doesn't reach that far then it can't be an Americanus.

Given the range of colours that American Toads can hit, they're a suspect for everything that shape. Their range map is interesting: Range, it's like they just refuse to cross the 95 W longitude line (or thereabouts).

[GrifTheGreat]

Given the range of colours that American Toads can hit, they're a suspect for everything that shape. Their range map is interesting: Range, it's like they just refuse to cross the 95 W longitude line (or thereabouts).

Wow!! They really do pretty much stop in the center of the country. That is an odd sudden halt in their range. That's very interesting.

[deranged chipmunk]

I see. Hmm I'm mistaken. It looks a lot like the American Toad the Nature Center has here, but if their natural range doesn't reach that far then it can't be an Americanus.

maybe he took a train or a bus. he wanted to be the renegade toad!!LOL looks like their range ends where the mississippsi basin(?) would end. it's rather dry throughout the mid-west to montain states, isn't it? maybe they just can't survive any further?

[Heatheranne]

Could be. They do love a good rain. That is the best time to find them out hunting. Of course, it's also when the worms are out and an easy catch .