New species for me and need help

[Buck Rogers]

I just wanted to give some feedback. All three are feeding really well and growing nicely, even that tiny little reed frog has doubled in size. I have started some work on a nice natural viv for the FBT and looking forward to posting pics and getting every ones feedback on that.

I was wondering if anyone can help me sex the FBT based on the pics, I am assuming that it is male because its back is very course and read that the females have a smoother back, am I correct?

[tgampper]

I just wanted to give some feedback. All three are feeding really well and growing nicely, even that tiny little reed frog has doubled in size. I have started some work on a nice natural viv for the FBT and looking forward to posting pics and getting every ones feedback on that.

Glad to hear the your FBTs are doing well

I was wondering if anyone can help me sex the FBT based on the pics, I am assuming that it is male because its back is very course and read that the females have a smoother back, am I correct?

You are correct. Males have black-tipped warts on their back and upper legs. Also, breeding males develop nuptial pads, which are darkened, rough patches on their fingers and forearms that are used to hold the female during amplexus.

[Buck Rogers]

Hi all

Here's an updated pic of my FBT, to me he hasn't grown much cause I've seen some big FBTs out there and to me my lil guy seems tiny. He eats very well and spends a lot of his time in the water just chilling on the bank. Seems to enjoy mealworms a lot more than crickets though.

Well enough chit chat, here he is:




Any idea on locality based on the yellow under belly?

[Jace]

Wow, Darryn, he looks very good, and plumping up nicely. I have never seen such vivid yellow on a FBT before-all of mine have orange to red underbellies. Thanks for keeping us updated on him and all the best with all your frogs and toads.

[Jace]

Darryn, I found the following information in one of my books, "Your Happy Healthy Pet: Frogs and Toads 2nd Edition" by Steve Grenard.

"The yellowbelly toad (Bombina variegata) is a native of Europe. It has a greenish back and yellow underbelly interspersed with blotches of black. This species grows to about 1 1/2 inches, s-v length." Otherwise, their care and setups are the same as other Fire Belly toad species.

[Buck Rogers]

And that's why I post here, such quick and helpful responses! Thank you so much

I must admit, I have really become attached to this little guy. They truely are comical and very lovable lil chaps. This little guy has learnt that if he swims up to the side of his tank and leans against the glass I'll throw a mealworm in the water for him

[Jace]

I have 8 Bombina orientalis and each one has a different personality. They seem to learn fairly quickly who brings the food! Glad you are enjoying him-they are pretty hard to resist.

[Kurt]

Darryn, I found the following information in one of my books, "Your Happy Healthy Pet: Frogs and Toads 2nd Edition" by Steve Grenard.

Some of my frogs are in that book. Pages 37, 39, 40, 44, 53, 55, & 58

"The yellowbelly toad (Bombina variegata) is a native of Europe. It has a greenish back and yellow underbelly interspersed with blotches of black. This species grows to about 1 1/2 inches, s-v length." Otherwise, their care and setups are the same as other Fire Belly toad species.

This toad is not variegata, its just an orientalis that didn't get enough carotene in its diet.

[Jace]

Good to know. So it's not an actual species of Fire Belly? Is that why you don't see the yellow underbelly very often? Except for the above mentioned book and Darryn's photo, I have never seen that colouring before.