Amplexus with toads.

[coltiger]

I have 5 American toads right now, 2 females and 1 male in one tank and two smaller toads that I have yet to figure out the sex.

The male I have is now locked in amplexus with a female. One of my questions is, does this stress the female out?

I tried to lift the male off but he is on there pretty good, she doesnt seem all that bothered right now.

If I separate him from the females will he start singing? Some American toads songs are long and annoying...would it just be best to leave them together? Other than their water bowls there is no large body of water to breed them in...else I would take a go.

[Kurt]

I would put them in shallow water and see what happens.

[John]

No harm in following Kurt's advice. You can separate them if you are very careful - brace one leg with a hand and then use the other hand to ease his arm off from around the female - be firm and don't make any sudden jerking movements and if you have to let go, gently ease the arm back into place. I've done this a few times without injury so I speak from experience.

As for singing, it's really late in the year for American Toads to breed - I very much doubt he'll break into song without a water body.

[coltiger]

The male finally gave up! I was about to try what Kurt advised too, I do want to eventually try my hand at breeding some Bufo species. I had partial success with those fire belly toads, I just couldnt keep the toadlets alive...though it wasnt something I had planned with those guys, I was fairly new to the hobby then.

[Kurt]

Still it was an acomplishment. Just give it some thought, what did you do right, what did you do wrong, and go form there. Try to examine the possible reasons you lost the toadlets.