Fire bellied toads

[Barry]

Hi,
I've just taken on 4 adult Fire bellied toads. I've noticed that since I have put them in a different viv the dorsal colour has got quite a lot darker. I realise that many amphibians can alter their colour slightly depending on their surroundings (and the new viv has fairly a dark substrate and background) - but just wanted to check that it's not a dietry problem. I have a ZooMed Iguana light in the viv.

Thanks,

Barry

[Bombina Bob]

Welcome to the forum Barry This is normal for FBTs to change color depending on their surrounding and temperatures. I just searched up "Iguana light" under google and saw the UV rating of 5.0 thats too much uvb for your frogs, Stick with something much smaller. Here's the Frog forum care sheet on Fire belly toads Frog Forum - Fire-Bellied Toad Care and Breeding - Bombina orientalis and relatives

[Barry]

Thanks Ryan,
It's really good to join the Forum.
Should I be using a daylight, "full spectrum" lamp instead? What are the consequences of using a lamp that emits higher levels of UVb for amphibians?

[Bombina Bob]

Usually amphibians don't need UV lighting so a flourecent light should be ok. If an amphibian has too much UV and in particular UVB, they risk having a higher mortality rate from exposure, i worked with an aquaitence who put a UVB strip on a 30 gallon plaudarium with toads and had a large amount pass away. If you want to include UV lighting, use something that gives off only a small amount of UV light.

[Mentat]

Hello and welcome to FF !