Fire-bellied Toad
(Bombina orientalis)
Habitat
: Semi Aquatic or An Aquarium     Diet: Insectivores     Adult Size: 1-2.5 inches    
Lifespan
: 10-15 years     Native To: Asia

Did You Know:

  • Unlike most frogs, Fire-bellied Toads make sounds by inhaling rather than exhaling. Its croak has a pleasant sound, evocative of a small bell.

  • The Fire-bellied Toad’s tongue is attached completely to the floor of its mouth. So, it cannot flick out its tongue to catch prey the way other frogs do. Instead, it must leap forward and snare its meals in its mouth.

  • Living up to its name, the Fire-bellied Toad will arch its back to expose its red and black belly when it feels threatened. This warns would-be predators of its foul taste. If this is not a sufficient deterrent, the toad will lie on its back and release its toxic secretions. By contrast, the toad’s back is a dull brown and bright green, which allows it to camouflage itself by blending into the background colors of its natural environment.

The material below is a general guideline, and is not intended to serve as your sole source of pet care information. Visit a veterinarian trained in caring for reptiles and consult a broad range of literature to ensure that your pet receives adequate care.
 

What You Should Know About Fire-bellied Toads

The Basics:

This is an attractive and long-lived terrarium pet that is popular in the pet trade. Although its care requirements are relatively straightforward, it does require work and attention, particularly in the area of enclosure cleaning and maintenance. Males are
usually smaller and more streamlined than females, and are also able to make loud vocalizations. A hearty and adaptive species, it does well in a wide variety of environments in nature, even being found in southeastern Siberia and north eastern China at 10,000 feet above sea level. They are one of the few communal toads, and will do well when kept in groups.

Enclosure:
They Need a Semi-Aquatic Tank
:

Although small, Fire-bellied Toads are active, so they need room. A 20-gallon aquarium can house three toads, and 5 gallons should be added to the tank size for each new specimen. The tank should be longer than it is high, and it should have a secure lid, since these active frogs will escape, if given the chance. Unlike many other frogs and toads, the Fire-bellied Toad must have a true semi-aquatic tank. Between 25 and 30 percent of the tank should be “dry,” while the remainder is covered by chlorine-free water 2-4 inches deep. The land side should have smooth rocks, with commercially available driftwood and plants (live or artificial) for hiding and basking spots. Floating plants (real or artificial) and smooth rocks should also be placed in the water side to provide hiding and resting spots. The bottom of the water side can be lined with smooth rocks that gradually slope upward, making it easier for the frog to exit the  water. Fire-bellied Toads will spend most of their time floating in the water; they seldom submerge themselves. Water must be inspected daily to remove waste and feeder animal debris. (Fire-bellied Toads produce a large volume of waste for their size.) A partial water change (25%) should be done weekly, along with having a small aquarium filter in use.

Substrate:
Gravel Covered By Other Material Works For Them
:

Gravel can be used to build up the foundation of the dry area of the Fire-bellied Toad’s enclosure, but it must be covered by another substrate, since the toad can easily ingest small pieces of gravel when taking food. The gravel should be covered with any combination of larger rocks, moss, or non-aromatic wood fiber. Aromatic wood substrates like cedar must be avoided, since they can cause serious and even fatal health risks. Substrates must be inspected daily, so soiled material can be removed.

Temperature:
They Will Handle Room Temperature:

If kept in a reasonably warm room, Fire-bellied Toads require no extra heating. The temperature in their enclosure should be
around 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and slightly cooler at night. A low wattage bulb can be used during the day to create a warm, but not too hot basking area – avoid
temperatures over 85 degrees. Fire-bellied Toads are one of the few toads or frogs that enjoy basking in the sun like a lizard. However, temperatures that are too high can harm
this toad. The temperature must be monitored carefully by using a thermometer. Important - see the Note About Day/Night Light Cycles and Heating below.

Lighting:
Limited UVB Exposure Is Essential
:

Fire-bellied Toads should be exposed to a limited amount of UVB light daily. This should be provided by a fluorescent reptile lamp designed specifically for frog terrarium use that emits UVB (3-6%) 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. The tank should be dark for 12 hours a day. Important - see the Note About Day/Night Light Cycles and Heating below.

Note About Day/Night Light Cycles and Heating:

All reptiles, including this pet, must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. (See the lighting entry above for the specific length of this animal’s day/night cycle.) The day period must be light; and night must be dark. A timer should be used to set day/night periods. If a heat source is required to maintain correct nighttime temperatures, use heat mats or strips mounted below or on the side of the tank, infrared heat lamps, ceramic heat emitters, or a combination of these products. This will allow the enclosure to be heated while remaining dark. Follow directions carefully with all products. If ceramic heat emitters are used always choose fixtures with porcelain or ceramic sockets and to protect against fires do not place them by dry wood or flammable fabrics. Ceramic heat emitters must be kept out of the reach of children and all pets, including dogs and cats.

Diet:
Feeding Them On “Dry Land” Is Preferred
:

Gut loaded crickets dusted with a supplement should form the staple of the Fire-bellied toad’s diet. Like all feeder insects, they should be offered to the toad on the dry section of its enclosure. Small silkworms and earthworms can be offered as a substitute for crickets on occasion. Wax worms and mealworms are best avoided, even as a rare treat. Offer adults as much food as they can consume in one sitting (generally 2-6 feeder insects) three times a week. Juveniles should be fed smaller insects more often. Important -- It is necessary to provide calcium and vitamin supplements as part of the diet. Please read the supplement section below:

A Note About Gut Loading Feeding crickets a nutritious diet will pass on vital nutrients to your reptile. When reptiles eat these insects they are able to absorb the nutrients. This is why it is important to gut load crickets at least 48 hours before offering them to a reptile. Commercial cricket foods provide a convenient way to gut load crickets. (Always follow manufacturer’s directions.) Crickets should also be provided with water, preferably in the form of oranges or a commercial water gel product designed specifically to hydrate feeder insects. Putting a shallow dish of water in the cricket holding tank will result in insects drowning and promote the spread of bacteria.

You can also create your own gut-loading formula. Our vet recommends a mix of ground up dog food, cereal and fresh greens with oranges or a commercial gel for water.
Supplements:

Dust insects with calcium supplement and vitamin supplements. As a rule, a growing juvenile's food should be dusted more often than an adult's. Follow product label directions when applying supplements, and avoid over-supplementing food.  Too much calcium can contribute to calcification and indirectly to gout. The following is a possible supplementing schedule for this pet. Our veterinarian recommends dusting insects with a plain calcium supplement every other feeding to every feeding. (Avoid using a calcium supplement with added phosphorous, unless specifically directed by your veterinarian, since this can promote kidney disease.) Our veterinarian also recommends dusting insects with a D3 supplement once a week and a vitamin supplement two times a month. This is only one recommendation, consult your veterinarian for specific directions on supplementing your pet’s food, since there are many variables that go into determining the best supplementing regimen for a given animal.  

A NOTE ABOUT WATER: All water given to this pet for drinking, as well as water used for misting, soaking or bathing must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals. (Not all home water filtration systems remove 100% of the chlorine and heavy metals from tap water, so check your system's specifications before using it to filter water for your pet.) We recommend that you use unflavored 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. Do not use distilled water, which can cause severe medical problems, since it lacks minerals that are essential to important body functions.

Water & Humidity:

Relatively high humidity levels should be maintained in the Fire-bellied Toad's enclosure with a daily misting. However, the enclosure must also be well ventilated to prevent it from becoming overly humid. The water used in misting as well
as in the “wet area” of the tank must always be clean, fresh and free of chlorine and heavy metals. Do not use distilled water.


How to Handle a Fire-bellied Toad:
Like all amphibians, Fire-bellied Toads are meant to be observed and appreciated, rather than handled and petted. This toad's skin contains toxins, which do not pose a serious threat to people but can cause burning. Anyone with open cuts or wounds should not come into contact with a Fire-bellied Toad. When it is necessary to move a Fire-bellied 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 a Fire-bellied 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.
 


Look Out For This:
The skin of a Fire-bellied Toad is toxic. Although not really poisonous to humans, it can cause irritation. Anyone with open cuts or sores should not come into contact with this toad. Dogs, cats and other pets should also be kept away.


Recommended Fire-bellied Toad Supplies:

  • A secure water-tight enclosure

  • Smooth rocks, driftwood, and other furnishing that can be used for basking and climbing

  • Foliage in the form of life or artificial plants

  • Floating plants for the wet area of the enclosure

  • Rocks to create "islands" in the wet area

  • Gravel to build up the dry sport of the enclosure

  • A suitable substrate to cover the gravel

  • A UVB Reptile fluorescent light source

  • A low wattage incandescent bulb to create a basking spot

  • A thermometer

  • A hygrometer

  • A misting bottle

  • Aquarium Filter