Hello all, meet my american toad friend, Banjo.

[kueluck]

Mine hibernate on their own, haven't done anything special. Studies show that frogs (all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads) that hibernate have a longer life spans, how much longer doesn't say, just longer. And I've tried to feed dubias, but they spit them out when they get them in their mouth. They also just burrow down and hide if not in a feeding dish. My toads have enjoyed the “thrill” of the hunt w/the red runners.

[yoshimi]

Dang it. He's up right now and when I was making coffee at kitchen counter (he lives on top of my fridge), he was looking at me like, "Helloooo, food?" I haven't given him anything since a few mealworms after that phoenix worm debacle a few nights ago. He pooped out 7 or 8, and at least one was still alive. No more of those. He goes nuts for dubia and they're easy to dust with vit/calcium. The reptivite is especially fine, so if too much is on a roach, he'll sort of flick it with his tongue, but if it gets out of bowl, I just pick it up and put it back in. They're usually stunned so it's easy. I'd be stunned if someone flicked their tongue at me and I went flying too.

I asked my roach people about red runners and they don't sell them. If ever he loses his taste for dubia (hope not tho, cuz i'm trying to breed them and close to seeing the 1st litter), I'll try your supplier. Aside from the speediness, they sound like a good feeder.

I found a guy on craigslist trying to get rid of 3 american toads about 2 hours from me. They're living in a whiskey barrel, which just wouldn't work here. I only see 2, but that means nothing. If he ever gets back to me, I'm hoping I might be able to get one or maybe two, tho I like his water dish and hide. Should I get all 3, I'd have to go buy something bigger, and I can't afford a 40 gallon aquarium. But Home Depot has a 106-quart clear latching bin for $18, tax included. Not the home depot down the road from me, but it's only half an hr away. I got excited and started researching. And again, this kid hasn't returned my email(s) yet, but it was only last night. My bf will kill me, but if Banjo had company, maybe he'd start exhibiting more normal toad behavior. Like not sleeping in plants. He's almost his full grown size (if he's a he), so not worried about a big size difference. Wish me luck!!

[kueluck]

Have you tried feeding him nightcrawlers? You can get them at Walmart in the sporting section. I get these for my garter snakes, DMF Canadian nightcrawlers, NOT the Trout Worms. If they look to big you can always cut them in half, they continue to wiggle around for a bit so it should attract Banjo. Nightcrawlers are one of the most nutritious foods for amphibians and reptiles. Just put them in a dish so they don't get covered in
substrate. If I were you, I would snag all of the toads if he gets back in contact with you. The bin hat Home Depot would work great in the mean time. You can always upgrade later on, watch craigslist for tanks, or if you have a Petco they have the $1 per gallon sale twice a year. And as for your BF, just tell him it's “love me, love my toads”. Not sure why he sleeps in plants. Do you have different hides for him? Post a top view of his home please, that is if you're open to suggestions.

[yoshimi]

i've heard earthworms were great, very nutritious. the idea of cutting them up sounds so awful tho. and if he didn't go right after them, they'd just die, all cut into pieces. maybe the other toads (if i get them) will show him how to eat them.

this is what it used to look like, not too long ago: only the crickets went into that seed starter cup, tho he did a few times, but never for too long. eventually it disintegrated as it was designed to and I threw it away. In the very beginning, he had flower pots (clean) and chose to hide behind a flat rock, so now that's all he really has besides the plants. And he chooses the plants. I tried cutting one down to size to be more ground level, but he just climbs that too. So I really like that log hide thingy that the kid on craigslist has. I'm assuming it's hollow, and hopefully not moldy or anything. I have a plant that in a bigger tank, would be perfect and the pot it's in is easy to make a doorway in. I'm a petco pals member and I'll be on the lookout for that $1 a gallon sale. In the meantime, I'll get him some hides. Do they prefer something open on both sides? I have a 2pk of unused opaque tumblers that I've been considering trying out as a dark place for him to crawl into. Also wag.com has a cheap dome hut but I wasn't sure if it'd be too small... T-Rex Dome Home - Free Shipping and T-Rex Crab Shack - Free Shipping I'd like something like this tho, Zilla Bark Bends - Free Shipping

*haha, it says free shipping but for orders under $49, it's $4.99, but usually arrives via fed-ex the next day. this is the place i buy his substrate from. 15% off for new customers with promo code. "wag" or "wag15"

**that water dish is now a roach food bowl and the food dish is his water dish. i read that plastic water bowls were no good as they seep out toxins.

[yoshimi]

Not sure why he sleeps in plants. Do you have different hides for him? Post a top view of his home please, that is if you're open to suggestions.

I cut a doorway in translucent bowl I never use, washed out of course and sprayed with treated water. sanded and melted down any rough edges. Put it in tank and surprisingly it fit well, not too cramped. After his meal and bath, (his choice), he went up tree but I wanted him to at least try it so i sort of gently scooted his lil butt into it. He walked the rest of the way in, stayed for a few min, then went back up tree. I can't find my camera now, after taking pics of more worms he pooped out early this morning. We'll see if he uses it later tonight. And I'll find camera (gotta be around here somewhere) and get pics.

[UncleChester]

I cut a doorway in translucent bowl I never use, washed out of course and sprayed with treated water. sanded and melted down any rough edges. Put it in tank and surprisingly it fit well, not too cramped. After his meal and bath, (his choice), he went up tree but I wanted him to at least try it so i sort of gently scooted his lil butt into it. He walked the rest of the way in, stayed for a few min, then went back up tree.

Don't take it personally if it doesn't do what you want:P. Leave it be and give it time to explore the new addition on its own.

I'll second earthworms as a great food option and kijiji or Craigslist for a place to look for used tanks. As a bonus, you don't really need yours to be water tight above a couple inches (if at all) so tanks with slow leaks that are useless as fish tanks can sometimes be had at terrific deals.

[kueluck]

Oh my gosh, CORK BARK, I love it, the toads love it, the snakes love it. It's pretty rot-resistant & easy to clean with soft toothbursh. Cork Bark Flats - Wood you can get pieces that will fit your set up, actually see the pieces you are ordering. And beside going to a reptile show, so jealous you have one in your area this weekend. I haven't found a place with better prices than Joshs Frogs.

Here's pics of my 40 gallon breeder tank for my toads.

[yoshimi]

wow that looks crazy nice. better than what they'd be living in outside, i think. more realistic that reality. hah!