Myth?

[jasonm96]

Hi all

I have read so many care sheets or books that state fire bellied toads will get heat stressed at temperatures above 80F but my toads seem to be quite content, have a look. They are yellow-bellied toads and the temps at the basking site were 84.6F when this pic was taken, it's usually slightly less and water temps at 75F. they feed well, are very active, males constantly try it on with other toads and they regularly bask.

[ericbrookey]

Looks like they dig that basking site. During summer my tank temps get above 80 at times and I stress over it. My water temp stays around 75 without a heater so I know they can cool off but it still makes me worry.

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[jasonm96]

It does! There in a 20-gallon tank so they can escape it if they want to but There's six of them and sometimes all of them will cluster ontop of each other under the bulb but they dart away sometimes when I approach. The basking spot usually it stays between 78-82F. It might be if the water rises to 80F or higher then they may get stressed because they can't then cool off

[jasonm96]

Still basking at a temperature of 82.9F, which is very interesting. Other three are hiding, though. The water area is most of the set up and was around 72F when this picture was taken:

[Charlie]

I have had my firebellies for 6 years now and they have never had a basking area, I got them as tadpoles. Our temps change spring/summer/fall/winter and they are in the basement, I just have a heater in their water. These toads seem to do well in all sorts of setups.

[jasonm96]

It is impressive how adaptable they actually are. Do you provide any sort of lighting? Even a fluorescent can unintentionally provide a warmer area in the tank