Can't figure out why my pet toads keep dying, Please Help!!

[LilyPad]

I'm sorry for your losses, that is tough!

This care sheet may help you figure out what you need to do to care for them - http://www.frogforum.net/content.php...ytes-Pelobates

Unfortunately, wild caught toads + wild caught feeders + the stress of captivity = parasite overload. First thing that I would do with a wild caught pet is have it fecal tested and treated. I would feed earthworms and crickets or dubia roaches as a staple diet.

Supplementing is a must for a captive toad, so you're doing correct with that. Vitamin A shouldn't be used more than once a month though, as it is fat soluble and can be poisonous in high amounts. Curly may have already been too far gone from deficiencies when you started supplementing.

[HL4EHalfLife]

Since creating this thread i have gotten an ExoTerra Repti-Glo 5.0 15w UVB bulb for my aquarium and so far the smallest of my new toads which is about 1/2 inch long is doing well and i think that is impart to the new UVB bulb i installed and i say this because whenever i had found a baby toad this small in the past they would only last about 2 weeks before the skin turns very dark brown or black and than die. I also think that all the info saying toads do not need UVB to live because they are nocturnal is bull**** because i see toads hopping around all the time during the day..when the sun is out so they have to be getting UVB from the sun during those times.

Xaver, Amy - I know parasites can be a problem but if that's whats killing them all than there would be no toads hopping around in the wild as they would all be eating insects with parasites and dying before they can mate (a female starts producing eggs at 3 years old).

[Cliygh and Mia 2]

Yes, but the stress of captivity (Humans, noises, other animals, improper care even though your care seems fine) makes the parasites symptoms worse, and the parasite overload can kill them

[elly]

Yeah, the questions about the usefulness UVB are mostly related to tree frogs that are largely nocturnal. Toads are much bolder and often hang around in daylight.

For some reason it seems a lot of pet owners have noticed wild frogs are more affected by parasites in captivity. Do you clean out and refill the dirt after a toad dies? Because the parasites might be building up in the tank environment. Where do you get your dirt?

[HL4EHalfLife]

Yes i do clean out the aquarium and the dirt i have used is just dug up from outside.

On a side note the babies i have now are still doing well, I've had them for about 3 weeks give or take and are showing no signs of becoming sick (dark/black skin, unstable walking,etc) so I'm starting to think the lack of UVB light is what was killing my toads.

[Cliygh and Mia 2]

The dirt from outside probably had bacteria and other illnesses in it. I would imagine UVB being good for the toads anyways

[elly]

Could also be bacteria or fungus building up in the dirt. You could try heating it in an oven (that won't kill everything, but it may keep stuff down.)