Greetings Frog forum! total noob needs help with a couple bufo alvarius

[Benjam81]

I look forward to being a part of this site and learning from the experienced individuals who will share their wisdom. I'm completely new to this hobby and to be honest I'm a little intimidated by what I've undertaken. I received 4 sonoran desert toads in the mail today. I nervously opened the box wondering how they didn't suffocate, I lifted up the cloth bag sealed with tape and set them in their new 80 gallon terrarium(is this large enough? ). I opened the bag and gently dumped them out. 2 appeared plump and healthy, the other 2 however are really skinny. This got me concerned. I went and got my 20 GA. Tank and put the skinny ones in there so I could keep a better eye on them. They ate well I guess. They split 12 crickets and some superworms. After seeing them eat I put them back in the larger tank. Is it normal for them not to get in there water dish? Only 1 has got in. And is playsand a suitable substrate? I sterilized it. What would be a good feed to fatten them up a little? I was thinking pinkies?
Sorry about the lengthy post

[charizard988]

hello i am somewhat new myself i dont know alot but i will try and help so anyone else out there corret me if im wrong 80 gallon shud be surrficent.2-3 crikets a day dusted with some supplements not sure which one (im new ) for the one who are small right a way they shud start getting big (about3-4 dayz ) then go to 2-3 each evey other day. toad dont not go in water as much a frogs so they dont need a huge what space so as long as its no higher then there head its fine . most toads tend to get dig in a bit in the soil so orgnic is best.play sand do u mean child sand like stuff in the sand pits if so no becuase its sharp and with cut or irritae the toad becuase the skin is sensitive . when u feed pinkies (im guessing are mice i live in the uk) they are a treat so not offen (i every 6 months or so i think ) as long as the food you feed them is smaller then the lenth bettween there eyes there shud eat it .

(please correct me if im wrong toad and frog lovers)

[John]

The sand is fine. They like sandy substrate actually. They won't use the water bowl much. These toads only use water to breed. To fatten them up I would suggest well gut-loaded crickets and lots of them. These guys have huge appetites, particularly when kept at the warm temperatures they enjoy.

[charizard988]

lol i was partly right im slowly learning

[Benjam81]

Hey thanks for everyones input. I'm currently feeding some crickets carrot shavings. I just fed them the rest of the superworms probably about 30 if I had to guess. The little chubby one has got me freaking out a little. He's doing this thing where it looks like he's yawning, and taking long blinks. So I watched him for about 5 minutes and he just keeps doing it. Then I noticed this grose string of something coming out of the side of his mouth.so in my head I'm. Thinking he's yawning to try and get whatever it is out of his mouth. So I rinse off my hands and pick him up to take a closer look and see if I can help him get it out. But on closer insepction it appears to be something physically attached to him.? I gave it a little tug and it didn't want to come off, and I could tell he was stressed all to hell. So I put him in the 20 ga. Tank all by himself. I feel terrible. I wasn't really wanting to turn this into an expensive hobby, but I'll do whatever I can to help the little guy. Does anyone have any type of clue what this might be?

Oh and btw john I read your post about the colorado river toads. I've gotta say you know your stuff man. It would be nice if you could share some insight on my present situation.

Mods feel free to move this post so that the right people will see it.

I wish I had my camera.

[LilyPad]

Charizard gave you some good advice, basically echoing him. Pinkies can be a rare, occasional treat, but not often because they are high in fat and low in nutritional value, I know it can cause eye problems in frogs and toads. If your humidity is high enough, they won't need to soak as much, so that is not something to worry about. 80 gal is plenty large.

Welcome to the forum!

[Benjam81]

So....I shouldn't be concerned about the"yawning"? Is this just something they do to help digest food? Bc now I notice another one doing it aswell. Which makes me feel a little better. If everyone does it I'll chill out. But if one starts acting weird or behaving differently I freak out and start thinking I've accidentally harmed it somehow.

And thanks for the warm welcome.