Lighting questions

[ToadilyNuts4Nature]

I think that's good when you get that score. Don't quote me on that lol but I believe it is.

I have never added something like that to the water so I can research it and try to get back to you. You have a great attitude towards keeping your toads so regardless on how things look the fact that you care and want to do the best you can is going to take you and your animals far. Thank you for the kind words I am happy to have helped you with the information I provided! I will have to look into the other things you use as a gutload to see what they are like ingredients wise. You can offer blueberries and strawberries to the feeders and they love to eat fruit! I just don't make it the main food for the crickets.

As for the light I agree with you it's better to just use the light right now, and then when the water supplements are addressed by someone else or me if nobody knows, then we can figure out what else the toads should get vitamin wise.

I think your toad who has grown the most and eats a lot might be a female. It sounds like typical female behavior and growth, but it could also be an abnormal male with a very interesting personality. I would let the other toads rest because it's winter. As long as you keep the soil moist they should be good.

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I found this thread from Nov. 8th 2017, which references the use of liquid bird vitamins. You had posted some comments but none referring the liquid supplementation. Not sure if this is where I got the idea from originally?? I don't know how or if I can tag/share a specific thread but you can find it if you search it...

Thread: Nutritional question in relation to difficult eating situation for Toad

Updated with additional Info: This is the original source regarding the utilization of Liquid Bird Vitamins, specifically for Short Tongue syndrome...

http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatre.../#.XjwrrU3QZdg

The following were the direct comments... to save time reading thru all the posts... I hope this is helpful information???

January 8, 2014 at 12:43 pm
Hi Frank,
I was fortunate to have discovered this blog about short tongue syndrome. Ifound a small American toad in mid October of 2013. The recommended terrariumwas set up and I began feeding her a diet of small crickets and meal worms. Shewas growing nicely and everything was fine until around mid December when hertongue began to miss its target. I initially assumed that the toad haddeveloped a vision problem but then I noticed that its tongue appeared to havebecome too short to reach its prey. The problem grew worse until it sometimestook 5 attempts before she would either catch one or give up trying and justwalk away.
It was time to consider a reptile vet but then I got the idea toGoogle the problem to see if there was the chance of anything being posted theinternet. Lo and behold your link popped up. Eureka! I dashed out to Petco andbought the Reptivite brand of multi-vitamins with calcium. The powder made theprey even more difficult for the tongue to grab onto, so I additionally beganputting some liquid bird vitamins in the water bath as well (the Reptivitedidn’t dissolve well in water). There was no improvement for the first week butthen Toady’s catching ability slowly started to get better. It took about 3weeks before she began to make occasional one-shot catches, but as of thismorning, she achieved 3 in a row. Recovery seems to be at hand and thosevitamins will remain a regular supplement to her diet.
I want to thank you for your elucidating article and also thereaders who contributed their personal experiences to your blog.
My best to you,
Dave

Frank Indiviglio
January 8, 2014 at 12:51 pm
Hello Dave,
Thanks very much for the kind words and theuseful observation. Back before reptile vitamins were available, we used birdvitamins in zoos, Avitron was the standard then, still used for some herps byvets today; your input will be very useful…I’ll save and pass along, thanks.Please let me know what brand you used when time permits.
I’d avoid mealworms, other than newly-moltedgrubs; poor CA: Phosphorous profile and linked to digestive problems,blockages, etc. Vary the diet as much as possible; and be sure to feed thecrickets well before use. Please see Frog/Toad Diets(link to Part I in text)and Live Food Care andlet me know if you need anything, best, Frank


Dave
January 8, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Hello again Frank,
The liquid bird vitamins I’m using in my toad’s water is Vita-Sol by Eight inOne Pet Products. I did read the frog/toad diet on the link you kindlyprovided. I actually did begin feeding my toad insects from the same forestpreserve I found her in. So for the first few weeks she was fed roli polis,slugs, and small earthworms I gathered from under rocks and dead wood. When thecold weather set in, and its been a brutal winter here in the Chicago area, Ihad to resort to the crickets and meal worms available in pet stores. I willendeavor to locate a source of earthworms, perhaps from a bait shop, untilspring arrives and I can provide her with a greater variety of bugs.
Thanks again for your helpful suggestions,
Dave