Toads are such interesting little creatures. It’s common to find them hopping around outside and they’re often so cute it can be hard to resist picking them up. Of course, toads come with the old wives’ tale of giving their handlers warts, which is not true. Just like frogs, toads are amphibians. The only difference is that they have dry skin warts, crests behind the eyes, and possess parotid glands. Many people keep frogs as pets, but what about toads? Do they make good pets? The answer is entirely dependent on the individual asking the question. Toads can make great pets, but they aren’t for everyone. Toads aren’t a pet that you can handle very often. They are better just being observed. If you love amphibians and are prepared to care for a pet that needs little to no handling, a toad may be right for you. Toads as Pets Image credit: PxFuel Toads secrete toxins through their skin as a defense mechanism. They also are known to pee in self-defense, especially when handled by humans. Hand washing is a necessity when handling toads, gloves are also recommended. Toads become stressed very easily and will use these defense tactics whenever handled. That’s not to say a toad cannot become used to its owner, but it’s best to ensure that you cause your toad as little stress as possible. Toads will recognize a routine and will associate you with feeding time. You can expect to be greeted by your hungry little amphibian upon arrival. It’s also important to note that all amphibians are possible carriers of salmonella. Contamination is easy to avoid if proper hygiene measures are followed. Toads typically reach adult size in 6-18 months, depending on the species. You’ll want to thoroughly clean their habitat once per week and always provide fresh water. 6 Common Toad Species Kept as Pets Now that we know toads can make great pets if they are well cared for and observed rather than handled, let’s take a look at the most common species of toad kept as pets.
- American Toad
Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Bufonidae
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus
Adult Size: 2-4.5 inches
Lifespan: 15 years
Diet: Insects, spiders, earthworms, slugs, and other invertebrates.
UVB Lighting: Not required
Temperature Range: 60⁰F to 70⁰F
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
The American toad is found in most areas of eastern Canada and the United States. They make for one of the best pet toads for beginners.
- California Toad
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Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Bufonidae
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus boreas
Adult Size: -2.5 inches
Lifespan: 5 years
Diet: Fish food pellets, blood worms, shrimps
UVB Lighting: Low-Level UVB
Temperature Range: 65º F to 82º F (Water Temperature)
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
California toads, also known as western toads, can make for easy pets to care for but typically do not like being handled.
- Cane Toad
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Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Family: Bufonidae
Scientific Name: Rhinella marina
Adult Size: 4-6 inches
Lifespan: 15-25 years
Diet: Crickets, small rodents, insects
UVB Lighting: Not required
Temperature Range: Minimum 75º F
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
The Cane Toad is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a larger toad. They are olive green in color and can live up to 25 years. They are moderately active and are low-maintenance pets.
- Oak Toad
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Experience Level: Intermediate
Family: Bufonidae
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus quercicus
Adult Size: 75-1.5 inches
Lifespan: 2-4 years
Diet: Small crickets, insects, small roaches
UVB Lighting: Low-level UVB preferred
Temperature Range: 75⁰F to 80⁰F
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
The Oak Toad is the smallest toad in North America. They are a very short-lived species of toad and typically live about 3 years.
Related Topic: Tomato Frog
- Orient Fire-Bellied Toad
Experience Level: Intermediate
Family: Bombinatoridae
Scientific Name: Bombina Orientalis
Adult Size: 2 inches
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Diet: Small Insects, mealworms, waxworms
UVB Lighting: Light low level required
Temperature Range: 60⁰F to 70⁰F
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Orient fire-bellied toads are small with shiny, red coloring and black spots. In the wild, they are found in Korea, northeastern China, and parts of Russia.
- Tomato Toad
Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Microhylid
Scientific Name: Dyscophus antongilii
Adult Size: 5-3.5 inches
Lifespan: 6-8 years
Diet: Crickets, nightcrawlers, freeze-dried bloodworms
UVB Lighting: Not required
Temperature Range: 60⁰F to 70⁰F
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
The tomato toad is one of the smallest pet toad species. They are round and red in color, much like a tomato. They can live in a variety of habitats, are very adaptive, and make a great pet for beginners. Summary Toads can make great pets under the right conditions. You’ll need to keep in mind that they do not like being handled and can secrete a toxic substance from their skin and tend to pee when they are scared and on the defense. All toads are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as salmonella, so you will always need to wash your hands before and after handling a toad. Toads can also absorb through their skin, so you’ll need to be mindful for their sake as well prior to handling with bare hands. They can be easy to care for and make unique, cute, observable pets.
Featured Image Credit: Kathy_Büscher, Pixabay
Toads are such interesting little creatures. It’s common to find them hopping around outside and they’re often so cute it can be hard to resist picking them up. Of course, toads come with the old wives’ tale of giving their handlers warts, which is not true.
Just like frogs, toads are amphibians. The only difference is that they have dry skin warts, crests behind the eyes, and possess parotid glands. Many people keep frogs as pets, but what about toads? Do they make good pets? The answer is entirely dependent on the individual asking the question.
Toads can make great pets, but they aren’t for everyone. Toads aren’t a pet that you can handle very often. They are better just being observed. If you love amphibians and are prepared to care for a pet that needs little to no handling, a toad may be right for you.
Toads as Pets
Toads secrete toxins through their skin as a defense mechanism. They also are known to pee in self-defense, especially when handled by humans. Hand washing is a necessity when handling toads, gloves are also recommended.
Toads become stressed very easily and will use these defense tactics whenever handled. That’s not to say a toad cannot become used to its owner, but it’s best to ensure that you cause your toad as little stress as possible.
Toads will recognize a routine and will associate you with feeding time. You can expect to be greeted by your hungry little amphibian upon arrival.
It’s also important to note that all amphibians are possible carriers of salmonella. Contamination is easy to avoid if proper hygiene measures are followed.
Toads typically reach adult size in 6-18 months, depending on the species. You’ll want to thoroughly clean their habitat once per week and always provide fresh water.
6 Common Toad Species Kept as Pets
Now that we know toads can make great pets if they are well cared for and observed rather than handled, let’s take a look at the most common species of toad kept as pets.
1. American Toad
Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Bufonidae
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus
Adult Size: 2-4.5 inches
Lifespan: 15 years
Diet: Insects, spiders, earthworms, slugs, and other invertebrates.
UVB Lighting: Not required
Temperature Range: 60⁰F to 70⁰F
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
The American toad is found in most areas of eastern Canada and the United States. They make for one of the best pet toads for beginners.
2. California Toad
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A post shared by Tim Spuckler (@timspuckler)
Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Bufonidae
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus boreas
Adult Size: -2.5 inches
Lifespan: 5 years
Diet: Fish food pellets, blood worms, shrimps
UVB Lighting: Low-Level UVB
Temperature Range: 65º F to 82º F (Water Temperature)
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
California toads, also known as western toads, can make for easy pets to care for but typically do not like being handled.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Tim Spuckler (@timspuckler)
A post shared by Tim Spuckler (@timspuckler)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
3. Cane Toad
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A post shared by Luke Atkinson (@luka_nuka_cola)
Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Family: Bufonidae
Scientific Name: Rhinella marina
Adult Size: 4-6 inches
Lifespan: 15-25 years
Diet: Crickets, small rodents, insects
UVB Lighting: Not required
Temperature Range: Minimum 75º F
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
The Cane Toad is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a larger toad. They are olive green in color and can live up to 25 years. They are moderately active and are low-maintenance pets.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Luke Atkinson (@luka_nuka_cola)
A post shared by Luke Atkinson (@luka_nuka_cola)
4. Oak Toad
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A post shared by Rob (@benicetofrogs)
Experience Level: Intermediate
Family: Bufonidae
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus quercicus
Adult Size: 75-1.5 inches
Lifespan: 2-4 years
Diet: Small crickets, insects, small roaches
UVB Lighting: Low-level UVB preferred
Temperature Range: 75⁰F to 80⁰F
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
The Oak Toad is the smallest toad in North America. They are a very short-lived species of toad and typically live about 3 years.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Rob (@benicetofrogs)
A post shared by Rob (@benicetofrogs)
- Related Topic: Tomato Frog
5. Orient Fire-Bellied Toad
Experience Level: Intermediate
Family: Bombinatoridae
Scientific Name: Bombina Orientalis
Adult Size: 2 inches
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Diet: Small Insects, mealworms, waxworms
UVB Lighting: Light low level required
Temperature Range: 60⁰F to 70⁰F
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Orient fire-bellied toads are small with shiny, red coloring and black spots. In the wild, they are found in Korea, northeastern China, and parts of Russia.
6. Tomato Toad
Experience Level: Beginner
Family: Microhylid
Scientific Name: Dyscophus antongilii
Adult Size: 5-3.5 inches
Lifespan: 6-8 years
Diet: Crickets, nightcrawlers, freeze-dried bloodworms
UVB Lighting: Not required
Temperature Range: 60⁰F to 70⁰F
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
The tomato toad is one of the smallest pet toad species. They are round and red in color, much like a tomato. They can live in a variety of habitats, are very adaptive, and make a great pet for beginners.
Summary
Toads can make great pets under the right conditions. You’ll need to keep in mind that they do not like being handled and can secrete a toxic substance from their skin and tend to pee when they are scared and on the defense.
All toads are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as salmonella, so you will always need to wash your hands before and after handling a toad.
Toads can also absorb through their skin, so you’ll need to be mindful for their sake as well prior to handling with bare hands. They can be easy to care for and make unique, cute, observable pets.
Featured Image Credit: Kathy_Büscher, Pixabay
