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residentevilrulz
Pondweed
10 Posts |
 Posted - 02/08/2009 : 07:57:55
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| I recently had this idea of keeping toads from around the world of the true toad family (Bufonidae) that are around the same size and require the same temperature/humidity settings as each other in a large tank with each other. I wanted to keep specifically 2 Asian Black Spine toads, 2 Japanese toads (which I still need to find out how to acquire), an American Toad, and a Green Toad. Some other species might be in there as well such as the Black Toad or Woodhouse's Toad. I've read before that it's not a good idea to keep different species together, but it's never exactly said why. They won't be big enough to eat each other and have same/similar skin composition/secretions etc. I can't understand why this would be a bad idea. I'm very experienced with frogs and toads and I'm not a beginner. Please let me know if this is a bad idea though. Thank you |
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lewy
The Amphibian Administrator
United Kingdom
1356 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2009 : 11:47:53
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I've always been under the impression different species shouldn't be kept together. But have seen some people have success with doing so (whites and American tree frogs for example). Most of the bufo species are toxic like you say and this would put me of keeping them together, secretions can build up in the tank (especially the water) and can cause problems. I've heard that black spined toads can be quite territorial, so you should make sure you have a very large tank so each animal can have it's own area.
I wouldn't recommend it unless you are tong feeding, you'll never know if one of two are getting all the food and all the best spots in the tank for thermoregulation. until that is you notice loss of weight or stress. You'd need to supply lots of hiding areas for each of the species and a really large tank would be a must. Why not just keep them in single tanks?
Amphibians stress easily and once they have stress other problems will follow, In my opinion, I wouldn't run the risk.
Oh, Welcome to the forum!  |
Lewy
THE AMPHIBIAN.co.uk Team
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residentevilrulz
Pondweed
10 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2009 : 00:46:19
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| I realize that toads secrete toxins, however they only do so if they feel mortally threatened. And I clean all of my amphibian's water dishes 2 times a day so that shouldn't be an issue. As far as feeding, I always feed my amphibians with the "can'o" brand of crickets, snails etc. I normally stab a cricket onto a wooden skewer and feed them that way. The only exception would be when I am raising juvenile horned frogs. They get live baby crickets. If you still really think it's a bad idea, let me know. Otherwise I think I'd like to give it a try. And thanks for the welcome!! |
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lewy
The Amphibian Administrator
United Kingdom
1356 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2009 : 09:59:46
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Give it a go, If you've got a large tank it could work really well. Be prepared by having a hospital tank (or a few) set up ready just in case you get any stress or fighting, you can move the stressed frog straight away then if you notice any problems.
The toxins can build up in water so I was mainly concerned if you had a constant water source with a filter in the tank.
When I think of cohabiting I think very densely planted natural set-ups.
As I say I seen some cohabiting set-ups work, but just make sure none of the animals become stressed by providing lots of hiding places like plants, cork bark, branches/roots, rocks etc
Post some photos of your tank build in the DIY section as well before you put the toads in, would love to see how you get along!
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Lewy
THE AMPHIBIAN.co.uk Team
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residentevilrulz
Pondweed
10 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2009 : 15:44:48
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| Thanks, I'll give it a go! My Black Spine Toads are coming in tomorrow so I'll have them in their tank and such. However, I won't be getting the other species of toads for at least a month. Need to save some cash haha. I will upload some pictures of my current pets for you though and I am going to get my brother on this forum as well. He's got lots of interesting things to show. He has an African Bullfrog, an American Bullfrog that just came out of the tadpole stage, 4 American toads, a blotched king snake, 2 Cuban treefrogs, a snapping turtle, and a bunch of fish! |
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Kazerella
The Amphibian Administrator
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2009 : 21:44:01
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| Don't show Lewy the Cubans - he's been wanting some of them so he'll be jealous |
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residentevilrulz
Pondweed
10 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 05:45:19
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| Hahaha I didn't know he wanted some! They're cool but really hyper, which bothers me lol. |
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Kazerella
The Amphibian Administrator
United Kingdom
969 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 10:51:59
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Well he's been thinking about tree frogs for a while and Cubans were defintiely on the list  |
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Housing different species together
