TEXAS TOAD CARE SHEET Anaxyrus speciosus
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Texas Toads are adorable little “living rocks”. They are a relatively calm species that enjoys resting in their burrows. However, when it comes to food, they are far different! Anything that moves is a meal to your Texas Toad. They do not have teeth so need to worry if they try and nibble on your hand!
CAPTIVITY DIFFICULTY: Beginner
LIFE SPAN: 7-10 years
ACTIVITY: Texas Toads are mostly nocturnal, until the breeding season when they become active during the daytime. As the sun is up, Texas spend their time resting in their burrows. Sometimes you may see your toad sleeping in its water dish. At dusk, these toads emerge from their craters to explore, soak, and hunt.
ENCLOSURE: Texas Toads require a large amount of coconut fiber substrate for proper burrowing. I suggest 6-8 inches (15-20cm). Toads greatly enjoy burrowing into the roots of live plants. While this can kill the plant, it is great enrichment for captive toads. I have had good experiences with Parlor Palms, Alligators Ferns, and White Jewel Dracaenas. For a step by step guide to preparing plants for your enclosure, click the button below.
A hiding place is needed. Logs, aquarium décor, hides, and any structure that “hides” your toad on three sides is perfect. 2-3 hides are ideal to give your toad a variety of places to rest in. A large water bowl is needed. Texas Toads can be quite clumsy so having a bowl with a ramp in and out is ideal. Exo Terra and Zoo Med provide a variety of selections. Freshwater must always be available. This may mean cleaning the water daily! If using tap water, water conditioner must be used. This removes harmful chemicals and makes the water safe for your amphibian. Directions vary so be sure to read the label before using.
SIZE OF ENCLOSURE: I highly suggest at least a 40-gallon terrarium for two Texas Toads. These toads do best in pairs and can use the extra space. Having an Exo Terra front opening enclosure is also extremely helpful and helps you interact with them in their environment.
HUMIDITY: 50-60%
TEMPERATURE: Daytime temperatures of 70-75 degrees F (21-24 C) are ideal. A basking light is not needed. Texas Toads thrive at room temperature.
Nighttime temperatures should never drop below 60 degrees F (15 C), and should typically stay around 65 degrees F (18 C). A low watt heat emitter, scheduled for the times the temperature drops too low. Excess heat leads to the drying out of the enclosure and can be deadly to amphibians!
LIGHTING: UVB light is recommended but not a necessity. This helps improve your toads’ overall health and improves plant health and growth. A linear 2.0 UVB is best. Never use higher than 2.0, it is too strong and can harm your toad!
In my experience, my Texas Toads were not a fan of even 2.0 UVB. The light places 20 inches away caused them to hide in their hut during daylight hours. Mine have done well with calcium D3 supplements every other Friday instead of UVB light.
FEEDING: Live crickets or dubia roaches should be their main diet. An adult Texas Toad should have 7-9 crickets/dubias every other days. Dusting your feeds with calcium improves your toads’ health and growth.
Supplementary Food: Earth Worm, Grasshoppers, Silverfish, or Springtails
Snacks once a week or less: Super worms/mealworms (cut the head off to prevent injury)
Once a month: A Horn Worm or three small Wax Worms (Very high in fat)
A diverse diet leads to a happy and healthy toad!
What size crickets or dubias do I get for my Texas Toad? A general rule for feeding Reptiles and Amphibians is, the food in question’s girth should fit in between the animal’s eyes. Texas Toads do well with ½ – ¾ crickets and dubia roaches.
SUPPLEMENTS: It is extremely important to then dust your feeders with calcium with D3 powder every feeding. If using UVB, calcium without D3 is best to prevent overdosing. .
Multivitamins are also an extremely important piece of your Texas Toads’s health. A multivitamin should be given once weekly. Simply dust the feeders in the multivitamin, do not place calcium on the feeders when giving the multivitamin, and then feed your toad!
Listed below are calciums with and without D3 and mulitviamins. I am currently using Zoo Meds Repti Calcium + D3 & Repashy Calcium Plus. I also use Repashy’s Vitamin A supplement regularly.
HOW TO SEX: Males tend to be smaller and have prominent, blue colored throats. Males produce a mating call during the wet season.
Females tend to be large than males and do not produce any vocalizations.
SIZE: The typical length for an adult Texas Toad is 3-4 inches (7-10cm) but depends on sex as stated above.
HEALTH CONCERNS: Below are articles pertaining to health concerns for Texas Toads. All owners should familiarize themselves with possible medical issues for the species they own.
I AM NEW TO FROGS, ARE THEY GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?
Texas Toads are wonderful for beginners! They are easy to care for, clean after, and are a reality calm species!