Toad Rain Chamber

[Tom Highum]

I am under the assumption that to breed toads like, Woodhouse's toads you required a rain chamber. I have a few questions about this.
How big should it be?
What it should be like?
How many toads?
Does the quantity of the sexes matter?
What time of the year?
What and how much to feed during breeding time?
How many babies?
What to do with the eggs?

[John]

I am under the assumption that to breed toads like, Woodhouse's toads you required a rain chamber.

Yes, they respond to the first heavy spring rains on a warmish night.

How big should it be?

This species almost breeds in puddles so the size isn't very important. A 10 gallon aquarium might do it, provided the toads are used to captivity and don't freak out on you.

What it should be like?

I think there's a description in the Sonoran Desert Toad article but basically you need a container with a couple of inches of water, some rocks to let them out of the water if they feel like it, and the ability to re-circulate the water - a submersible pump with a long hose that goes to the top of the container and is held in place, say in a loop, with regular holes along the loop at the ceiling to let the water come out. Keeping a piece of plastic on the top of the container to allow the humidity in the air to build up is a good idea. It would probably help to time all of this when there's a storm going on in your area. Also, be aware that even though you may keep your toads indoors all the time, they will be aware of the seasons so this is much more likely to work in April-May than say October.

How many toads?
Does the quantity of the sexes matter?

I would go with 1 male and 1 female - just make sure they are able to enter amplexus - the male should not be very small.

What time of the year?

April-May. Time it with a storm.

What and how much to feed during breeding time?

Just normal food.

How many babies?
What to do with the eggs?

They can lay many thousands of eggs. Don't keep them all - it's very hard to raise more than a hundred or so. The tadpoles are raised like most other Anurans. Read the Sonoran Desert Toad article or the Gray Treefrog article for more details on raising this kind of tadpole.

One final point. It's important that they experience a cool period of at least 2 months in the winter time, in order to condition them for breeding.

[Tom Highum]

Thank you so much now that i think about it i don't think i am going to try it. Mainly because i can't sell the babies.

[KellyM]

This is helpful!
I will be trying this next year...

[Tom Highum]

I think this could be added to the Toad general care sheet or made into a sticky. Also if anyone has one a picture would be nice

[John]

I don't have a photo I'm afraid. Next time I see one or set one up I will be sure to take one for this thread.

[Jaxlne]

7 years later...

Have you successfully bred any toads?
Any tips? [emoji23]