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Green Toad (American)
(Bufo debilis)
Habitat:
Savanna
Diet: Carnivorous
Adult Size: 1-2 inches
Lifespan: 5-8 years
Native To: North America |
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Did
You Know:
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American Green Toad's have
large parotid glands on the
side of their heads,
which secrete a poison that
gets smeared on the mouths
of predators.
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When threatened this small
toad flattens its body
against the ground, making
themselves less visible.
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Like many toads, this
species is able to "drink"
water from the soil by
absorbing it
through a "seat patch" on
their lower bellies.
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What
You Should Know About
American Green Toads |
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The Basics: |
There are two types of
American Green Toad.
Bufo debilis is found in
eastern regions of the
US, and Bufo debilis
isdidior populates the
west. Both groups are
very similar in size and
behavior. The eastern
species is bright green
flecked with yellow and
black spots, while the
western variety is green
to yellowish green with
a net-like pattern of
black lines on its back.
Both have a flat head
and body with warts on
their back
to help them blend into
their natural
background. The warts
also contain a poisonous
substance that protects
the toad from predators.
The female's throat is
lighter and the
male's is darker. Pet
store specimens tend to
be wild-caught animals.
They are communal frogs.
Males have a round vocal
sac, which they use to
chirp like crickets when
they float
in the water or hide
under cover near the
water. |
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Enclosure:
Sharing Space
is Ok With Them: |
American Green Toads are
non-aggressive, communal
animals, which do well
when housed together.
Since they are small
frogs, up to four of
them can be housed
comfortably in a
20-gallon tank. The
enclosure should contain
rock, logs, cork bark,
and thick leafed plants,
such as pothos, for
climbing and hiding
places. Climbing
branches should be at
least as wide as the
diameter of the toad's
body. The tank should be
securely covered with a
screen top for
ventilation |
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Substrate:
They Like
Burrowing Material: |
Organic mulch, and
non-aromatic wood chips
work well as substrates,
since this allows the
American Green Toad to
satisfy its need to
burrow. Paper also can
be used. Avoid aromatic
wood substrates like
cedar, since they
can cause serious and
even fatal health risks.
Substrates must be
inspected daily, so
soiled material can be
removed. |
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Temperature:
Room
Temperature Suits Them
Fine: |
If kept in a reasonably
warm room, American
Green Toads require no
extra heating. The
temperature in their
enclosure
should be around 75
degrees Fahrenheit
during the day, and
slightly cooler at
night. An under tank
heater set to the lowest
setting can be used in
the winter to maintain
tank
temperatures. Follow
manufacturer's
directions carefully. In
the summer, the toad's
tank should be moved to
a cool area of the home.
Never place the tank in
direct sunlight.
Temperatures that are
too high can harm this
toad. The temperature
must be monitored
carefully by using a thermometer. |
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Lighting:
Limited UVB
Exposure Is Essential: |
American Green Toads
should be exposed to
a limited amount of UVB
light daily provided on
an on/off day/night
cycle.
Provide a
low-output fluorescent
reptile lamp designed
for frog terrariums that
emits UVB rays.
The
fluorescent bulb should
be replaced every six
months. Glass blocks out
UVB light, so overhead
light sources should be
kept behind a wire mesh
cover, not a glass or
acrylic tank top. |
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Diet:
They Should Be Fed Every
Other Day: |
Gut loaded and dusted
with supplements crickets,
moths, caterpillars,
earthworms and beetles,
along with the
occasional mealworm and
wax worm are all
suitable foods for the
American Green Toad.
Adults should be fed
every other day. Use
common sense to
determine portions; the
toads should be filled
out, but not bulgy.
Juveniles should be fed
pinhead crickets and
mini mealworms daily.
Important -- It is
necessary to provide
calcium and vitamin
supplements as part of
the diet. Please read
the supplement section
below: |
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Supplements: |
Dust insects with calcium
supplement and vitamin
supplement. As a rule, a
growing juvenile's food
should be dusted more
often than an adult's.
The following is a
possible supplementing
schedule for this
reptile. Be
careful not to “over
supplement” a frog’s
food, since too much
calcium can cause gout
and calcification.
Dust food with a
calcium/vitamin
supplement once a week
for adults, twice a week
for juveniles.
However, this
is only a general
suggestion -- the best
specific schedule may
vary depending on the
supplement products used
and other factors.
Please consult product
package directions,
outside literature and a
veterinarian to
determine the optimal
supplementing program.
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A
NOTE ABOUT WATER: |
All water given to this
pet for drinking, as
well as water used for
misting,
soaking or
bathing must be free of
chlorine and heavy
metals. We
recommend that you
use bottled drinking
water or bottled natural
spring water and never
untreated tap water.
If tap water
is used, you should treat
it with a dechlorinating
treatment or allow
it to stand for at
least 24 hours
before being introduced
to the pet's
enclosure to allow the
chlorine to escape. Do
not use distilled water,
which can cause severe
medical problems, since
it lacks minerals that
are essential to
important body
functions. |
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Water
& Humidity: |
Moderate humidity levels
should be maintained in
the American Green
Toad's enclosure with
two daily mistings.
However, the enclosure
must also be well
ventilated to prevent it
from becoming overly
humid. A water bowl must
also be placed in the
tank, and it must be
shallow enough to allow
the toad to climb out
easily. Always use
clean, fresh water free
of chlorine and heavy
metals. Do not use
distilled water. |
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How to Handle an American Green
Toad:
Like
all amphibians, American Green
Toads are meant to be observed
and appreciated,
rather than handled and petted.
The warts on a toad's skin
contain toxins, which do not
pose a serious threat to people
but can cause burning. When it
is necessary to move an
American Green Toad, try guiding
it to a fine mesh net or plastic
cup, rather than lifting
it. If you must lift the toad,
wear moistened plastic gloves
and lift with great care,
grasping the animal firmly but
gently around the waist, joining
your thumb and forefinger
around its chest. Always wash
your hands, and rinse them
thoroughly before touching an
American Toad. The skin of these
toads will absorb residual
traces of soap or perfume
left on a hand. You should also
wash your hands thoroughly after
handling any toad.
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Look Out For This:
Anyone keeping an American Green
Toad should exercise great
caution to keep it away from
dogs, cats and other pets. When
threatened this frog will
secrete a noxious sticky
substance which
can cause nausea, irregular
heartbeat and in some cases
death in a
small animal.
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Recommended
American Green Toad Supplies:
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A secure enclosure
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Sturdy climbing branches
and perches
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Foliage in the form of
live pothos plants or
artificial plants
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A large, but shallow
water dish with a
climbing branch for
exiting
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A suitable substrate
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A UVB fluorescent light
source
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A thermometer
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A hygrometer
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A misting bottle

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