Cane Toad feeding

[TwiAly]

I've had my cane toad for a little over a month and in that time he has already grown about an inch. He's about 4 inches big. So far he's only been eating crickets (I've offered other insects but he/she isn't interested at all). I got him from a breeder at a reptile show last month and I don't think he had a lot of knowledge on him. He said just crickets would be fine. But I'm not sure its enough for him. So my question is what else can I feed him? A friend of mine has a big bull frog and feeds his feeder gold fish but I don't know if thats safe or anything.

Thanks
~Aly

[Wormwood]

Just joined the forumns so I don't know if this is a little late but I've had the same issue with one of my female cane toads.

The breed tends to be overly skiddish for such large toads, at least my two are.

All she'd eat was crickets at first but after a few weeks I started to introduce a few super large meal worms when I added the crickets to the tank. It's best to do this on a flat surface so they have limited places to run/hide/dig away. As much as I wanted some substrate for her to dig in those green and brown tank mats you can get at Petco or Petsmart work great. They also are simple to clean when she produces waste, easily cleaned out in the shower. Cane toads produce a lot of waste so you'll find yourself cleaning the mat at least five times a week.

But yeah, introduce a few of those large meal worms when putting crickets into the tank and she/he will accidentally eat a couple of them thinking they are crickets. Some will move fast enough (like crickets) to get her attention and sooner or later they'll become the staple of her diet rather then the crickets.

After the large meal worms you can move onto slower prey like earth worms. At first they'll have problems with them since they are used to just snapping them up with their tounge. Earth worms don't stick as well so it takes a little more mouth action on their part.

Limiting the stress of the animal really is the key though as mine are/still am overly skiddish. Feed them from above the tank from a direction they can't see you or your arm movements.

[TwiAly]

Hi and welcome to the forums.

Its never too late and I appreciate the reply. I'm still on the forum when I can, but have had a super busy couple of months. Thanks so much for the info, I'll give that a try. I honestly don't know if mine is male or female, but mine is a bit on the skidish side as well but getting better and less so as time passes.

Thanks again,
~Aly

[Wormwood]

No problem! Just be persistent - I've had one of mine for over a year and nothing I do makes her less skiddish. I fear she'll aways be a twitchy toad.. hah

[smashtoad]

Cane toads are the only frog I have ever known to eat stuff like canned cat and dog food. Sounds nuts...but I am telling you...they will eat it. You don't become the most successful amphib species on earth by being picky, right?

Get a small can of quality canned dog food, like Blue Buffalo...something high end with no fillers. Put some on a saucer right before lights out...in chunks, don't cut it up too much, so that if they try it they will get a big mouthful.

It may take a couple (or a few) tries, but I am telling you, this species will eat canned dog food.

Just don't try to watch them until you are successful...unless you use a weak red light, which you can get on a cheap camping headlamp at Wally's. Food on saucer, set in tank...lightsout...LEAVE. Come back quietly 30 mins later with only the red light on.