marine toad care - Noah's Ark Pets
Common Name: Marine Toad, Cane Toad
Maximum size: 5”-9.5”
Life span: to 40 years
Marine Toads are native to tropical and sub-tropical Central and South America where they are usually found in forested regions near water. They often called Cane Toads because they were introduced to many countries for biological control of insect pests in cultivated areas such as sugar cane fields. These nocturnal toads have become widely spread since they are highly adaptable and will eat almost anything that will fit in their mouths.
Captive Environment:
They may be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium. They should be housed in a tropical terrarium with a thick layer of soft, slightly moist soil. Hiding places such as bark or roots should be provided. The substrate can be bark nuggets or smooth, large pebbles that cannot be easily ingested. Plants, if added, should be kept in pots; so not use soil as a substrate. The aquarium, with the exception of the water dish, should be dry. The terrarium must be well ventilated and the substrate changed frequently.
Lighting:
Full-Spectrum lighting that emits UVB is a must for captive reptiles. Reptiles depend on ultra-violet light to synthesize vitamin D3, which regulates calcium absorption in the intestine. The light should be positioned less than 18" from your pet for maximum effect. Glass blocks ultraviolet light, and air circulation, therefore it should never be used as a top for the enclosure. A 12- hour day/ night lighting cycle is a good start for your pet reptile. Using a timer is the best way to ensure that the proper amount of light is received.
Temperature:
72? -78?F There are several methods for establishing the proper temperature range for your reptile. Using spotlights of variable wattage incandescent bulbs on the outside of the enclosure, under tank heaters or heat rocks or any combination of these.When using spotlights for 24 hour heat use red, night bulbs or a ceramic heating element to maintain day / night light cycle. Never place lights inside the enclosure where the reptile could come in contact with them and get burned. Use a thermometer to ensure proper temperature range is maintained.
Food:
Toads eat a varied diet; crickets, mealworms, waxworms, pink or fuzzy mice, or earthworms to name a few. Do not overfeed; it is better to offer smaller amounts of food more often than a large amount at one time. Toads have voracious appetites and will easily become obese if offered too much food. Food items should be lightly dusted with a supplement.
Water:
A bowl of clean, dechlorinated water should always be available. Frogs do not drink water, they absorb it through their skin, therefore a water dish should be provided that is large enough for the animal to easily get in and out of.
Handling:
Handling should be kept to a minimum. All amphibians have a permeable skin that is sensitive to toxins. Quite often in the course of a day, one's hands can become covered with numerous substances that are poisonous to a frog (hair spray, insecticides, chalk, ink, disinfectants, soaps, etc.) - be certain to wash your hands before handling the animal. Be aware of the poison glands (large bumps directly behind the eyes and above the ears). The poison (a milky looking liquid) of a marine toad is strong enough to kill a dog or cat, and conceivably a human if enough is ingested. It can also severely irritate eyes and nasal linings. The poison is secreted from the poison glands of the animal is sufficiently stressed.
NOTE: This care sheet is a general guide, to learn more about your pet consult a book about it.
