Quote Originally Posted by Wormwood View Post
"Lol you must really want some toads to go through all of this I think you'll make a great "parent" of these frogs."

I'm pretty sure that was sarcasim.
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I'm not attacking you, I honestly wish you the best of luck for the Toad's sakes since you plan to keep them. Do I agree with you plucking two mating toads out of the wild? Hell no. If I'm coming off as strong it's because I don't think you've thought this all through or even care to listen to my views.

And yes, caring for an Animal is never set in stone - do I think I know whats best for American Toads, yes I do. Am I an expert? Probally as close you'll get to one, as far as a hobbiest goes. Growing up when I've kept toads in smaller tanks and in greater numbers they don't live as long, don't move around and instead dig in because they feel stressed. If they are comfortable they will move around the tank. It's not an Irrational at all, it's how they react in a tank setting with other toads when given space and more freedom.

The 2nd level thing might work though if substrate was incorperated. I saw a tank once which used two levels and the toads where more then happy to climb up and down ramps to get to bugs and other hidey places.

Toad tadpoles are easily the size of a dime, much larger then a grain of rice.
Umm half the size of a dime. Well the ones around here atleast. Stuff from the wild is "okay". Sure there are captive breeders out there that may sell online. But I quit buying stuff alive online a long time ago. Through bad experience with breeders/salespeople. Most of the times the stuff would arrive dead. Or die within the same day. Sometimes the person carrying the package(UPS and such) would fail to knock on the door. Even then I had to wait outside for a couple of hours just to open a package and find the animals dead. I'ved ordered fish, turtles, and a couple of frogs(whites treefrog where the frogs)-- all arrived dead within arrival. Plus I don't -think- toads live longer in the wild that they would in captivity. Because of the fact there are many things that can affect them in the wild such as:
-Predators(just because they are toxic doesn't mean they don't have any predators)
-Weather(sometimes floods, and other crazy weather could kill them. I remember going to a river once, there was a big thunderstorm and the toad had its leg wedged in between a rock.)
-Accidents(they could drown, they could be crushed by a large object--- I did see it happen a few times, they could get accidentally whacked by a weed hacker.)
-Predators(birds, snakes, nocturnal animals)
-People: sometimes they can be ran over, stepped on accidentally(sometimes you cant tell when they are there apparently since they got good camouflage), mutilated by a weed hacker, etc. That's just my opinion. They do get used to captivity, as would any animal. In all honesty even a captive bred toad is still "wild". Its not "tame" in the sense they will love you like another person would.


Okay if he was sarcastic that's his problem. As well as if I didn't care to listen to your views, i'd simply disregard it and say "okay, will do". That's ussually a sign that I don't care. The whole two level thing is not that hard but I asked a few people on some other forums about doing something like that--- I ended up getting negative responses.
A 75gallon is NOT a small tank for most people. That's actually on the big side. ---Though you did give me a great idea for a tank set up. A second level will also provide shade for the bottom level(like night time), so a light could be kept going on the upper level for them(not overly bright--- I myself don't like extremely bright lights so I get that). I just need to make sure that the bottom level can stay dark enough. (I will work on the idea--fix some bugs here and there)


Anywho asides of my idea. You're not an expert if you don't have a degree. Just wanted to point it out---not attacking you. You maybe more advanced but that's different.

Anywho. I will try your idea in one tank, and try my idea in another and see how it works just for the "trial and error" sake and I will tell you how it goes. I really love toads, and I want to learn as much as possible as I can. But I also want to learn visually. I want to experience the life cycle of a toad. I want to see the color morphs they have(variations they have) so I can pick a few specifically.