American toads are not typical pets, but they can be kept that way if you know how to care for them. Set up an aquarium for it with materials that mimic nature so that your toad will be comfortable in your home. You can show love for your toad by maintaining its habitat, feeding it live insects, and looking out for its health.
EditSteps
EditHousing an American Toad
- Buy a aquarium for your toad. House your American toad in an aquarium that is at least long, tall, and wide. These are the measurements for most standard aquariums. Purchase an aquarium at a pet store or online.[1]
- Be sure to buy an aquarium with a lid that closes securely.
- Never place the tank in direct sunlight because it will overheat the toad.
- Line the tank with of substrate material. A substrate is a material placed at the bottom of a cage or tank that that absorbs your pet's waste and allows it to burrow. Fill the bottom of the aquarium with an organic material such as potting soil, moss, or shredded leaves. You can also purchase special substrates such as ground coconut fiber or forest bark bedding at pet stores.[2].
- Avoid using gravel or sand as a substrate as they can be harmful if swallowed by your toad.
- Add hiding spots to the aquarium. Toads like having places to hide in their habitat. Find or purchase items that will mimic nature, such as pieces of driftwood, large dried leaves, or pieces of tree bark. You can also add items like flower pots for large, sturdy hiding spots.[3]
- Add a large water dish that is no deeper than the height of the toad. Most toads will soak in an available water source at night, including their water dish. Choose a water dish that is wide enough to accommodate your toad, but not taller than it. This water should be changed each morning, or whenever it looks cloudy.[4]
- Amphibians are sensitive to chlorine so avoid using chlorinated municipal tap water.
- Use bottled water or filtered water.
EditFeeding the Toad
- Feed your toad live insects that can fit into its mouth. American toads are carnivorous and eat insects as their sole source of nourishment. They prefer them live and might not consume them if they are not moving. As a general rule, you can feed your toad any live insect that is small enough to fit into its mouth.[5]
- Worms and crickets, which can be purchased from pet stores, should form the bulk of your toad's diet.
- Avoid feeding your toad flying insects, which it may not be adept enough to catch.
- You can feed your toad insects that you find in nature, such as spiders or ants.
- Feed your toad 3-6 insects every 2-3 days. Be sure to give your toad at least 3-6 live insects a day to eat to maintain its weight. If the insects are particularly small, such as ants, feed your toad twice as many for the same results. Space out feedings to keep your toad satisfied.[6]
- Add a calcium supplement powder to the bugs every 4th feeding. Your toad's nutrition should be enhanced with help from a calcium supplement. Simply sprinkle a bit of the powder over the insects you are feeding your toad before putting them in the aquarium. Do this once every 4 times you feed it, which is enough to boost your toad's diet.[7]
- Purchase calcium supplement powder from pet stores or online.
EditMaintaining Hygiene and Health
- Replace the substrate every 2 months, or as soon as needed. As a general rule, the substrate material should be removed and replaced every 2 months. If you see that the substrate is visibly soiled before that point, replace it early. While the aquarium is empty, clean it with a 5% bleach solution and rinse it thoroughly.[8]
- Buy a small plastic tank from a pet store to hold your toad while you clean its aquarium.
- Find a vet who treats "exotic pets" for your toad. Many veterinarians will not treat toads as they do not have enough experience with their physiology and illnesses. If you suspect that your toad is sick, look for "exotic pet" veterinarians and inquire about their experience with amphibians. An inexperienced vet may inadvertently do harm to your toad while trying to treat it.[9]
- Handle your toad as little as possible. Limit touching your toad to when you need to move it and avoid picking it up for fun. Toads prefer not to be handled and get frightened easily by human contact. Their skin may also cause irritation to human skin after prolonged contact, so keep this kind of touching brief. [10]
- Always wash your hands immediately before and after handling your toad. Any lotions, perfumes, or other substances on your hands may irritate your toad.
EditTips
- Toads can thrive in room temperature. If they get overheated, they will simply burrow into the substrate.
- Toads may urinate or defecate when they are frightened. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
- Keep pets and small children away from your toad.
EditRelated wikiHows
- Assist in the Admiration of Amphibians on wikiHow
- Create a Habitat for a Toad
- Catch a Toad
- Care for a Toad
- Care for Pillbugs
- Care for Wild Southern Toads
EditSources and Citations
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