Escapees

[cgpetey21]

I keep fire bellied toads as a class pet. Lately, we have had a string of escapes. The same toad keeps getting out of the aquarium. Does anyone else have a fire-bellied toad in a glass aquarium W/ a lid that is able to scale the wall, move the lid, and push its way to freedom? Or should I start suspecting that one of the kids is the cause of this problem...

Help is appreciated! Thank you.

[Kurt]

Unless this top is really light weight, I would guess it's one of the kids. They do make reptile aquariums/terrarium that have locking lids. They can be pad locked.

[Tom Highum]

How old are the kids?

[Jace]

What kind of lid do you have? I had a lid that had the smallest of holes available and I had one very determined male manage to climb out on a regular basis. I eventually got some fine meshing and put it over the top and held in place by said lid. No more escapees. These guys are great escape artists, and even the chubbiest little toad can get out.

[Greatwtehunter]

You could be like me and fix it the redneck way. Use Duct tape to tape down all the edges of the lid except for where you need to open it. This way will prevent the frog from escaping but then again it will let you know if the kids are the ones doing it.

[cgpetey21]

Those are some good ideas. The kids are high school special ed. The problem hasn't happened since I busted a girl for opening the top to put her hair in it (???). I have no idea why she was doing that. I'm assuming I caught the culprit. I also now keep my 3-hole puncher on top of the lid. I figure I'm covering all of my bases!

Thanks for the help.

[Kurt]

You're welcome.

[Tom Highum]

Hope he doesn't pull another Houdini on you.

[Barry]

Oh yes, these toads think they are Tree frogs as they are very good at escaping!
Despite their apparent clumsiness , shape and weight mine are frequently climbing up the corners of the glass viv or getting themselves stuck into in small gaps between rocks - a gap of 5mm or more is all they need.
I had initially thought they were not the cleverest toads in the world but they seem to remember exactly where all the escape routes are!!
A tight fitting heavy lid should foil their plans for freedom!

Good luck,

Barry

[privet01]

I only have two fbt's, but they are totally different personalities. Ducky the one I've had the longest always looks for an opportunity to escape. As soon as I come near for feeding time or changing the water, he's trying to jump or climb something to get out. Seemingly he knows that the lid will be off and that's his chance. Squirrel on the other hand is content to just sit and watch the world go by as he does any other time. Of course he gets his choosing of crickets while Ducky's trying to escape.