Waestern Spadefoot Toad enclosure Ideas.

[docszoo]

Hi All! I have had this spadefoot toad for three years. Ever since he became a toad, he has had a crappy enclosure. All it is, is dirt :x Every week, I pour water in the tank so he knows it is feeding time. Afterwords, that water evaporates and makes the ground extemly hard :x So, I was wondering, since you guys are so good with gecko enclosures and other animal enclosures, if you guys could think of some ideas for a nicer enclosure for him. Right now, there is part of the dirt higher then the rest, a lower dirt section, a couple of peices of flagstone, and a fake plant. I dont think he likes it much. If you dont know what a spadefoot toad is, they are a desert species of toad that burrows when there is not water, or food around, or if it is day-time. They are a cool little toad

Here is a picture

This is not his enclosure. I was thinking of ideas for photography.

 

[docszoo]

Anyone have ideas for enclosure setup?

 

[docszoo]

Com'on, it is just some ideas for a better enclosure then he does

 

[the moof]

:shock: wow, i wish i could help. that terrarium is terrible. geeze.

regards,
*the moof*

 

[docszoo]

and the dirt gets all hard after I water the terrarium to get him to come out to eat. I have no idea on what to do so he could be happyer....

 

[Geckokid82]

could u use gravel and have some areas higher with small 6X6 tiles for him to lay om, and then flood the lower lvls for water or something, thats what i used to have for my fire belly toads, but then again i have no clue wat your toad needs

 

[docszoo]

Thank you for giving ideas!!! Unfortunatly, they are desert species and dont need that much water... I love your idea for the fire belly toads though!!!! I have one, and for his set up, I have that Water's Edge Viquarium Kit which is realy nice. I love it.

(In that top picture, you can see my whites tree frog :mrgreen: )

Also, last night, I was so tired of how unhappy he was, so I built him a new enviorment, which is a lot nicer now. Instead of just pouring the water in, I just have a water dish in there, and lots of dirt, a couple of plants, and a half tree trunk thing. I dont know how much he likes it yet...

I will show pics of the new cage soon! And thank you for the ideas!!! :mrgreen:

 

[RangerGrrl]

you could try changing the composition of the soil to make it less prone to compaction. It works for plants; it ought to work for your toad. Sounds like you made a good start, though.

Before I give any more advice, I would ask some questions: What does he need in his environment to survive? to thrive? What could he conceivably have for "enrichment"? (Like peole who give dig boxes to certain species of lizards.) Could you make him an artificial burrow, or would he want to make his own? Think of those things and it will help you narrow down what you want to do in the future for improvements.

 

[docszoo]

I think he is MUCH happyer now. He actualy comes out every now and then! Thanks for the ideas rangergrrl (cool nickname :lol: )

For him to survive, he has to have enough insects to eat, and with this species and how picky he is, thats not a problem. He is loveing those new phonix worms. He has to be able to burrow. I dont think he wants a burrow at all. He just, burries himself alive. Then, comes out when he is hungrey.

 

[the moof]

Sweet pics Andrew.

regards,
*the moof*

 

[docszoo]

I was just lucky he dug on the side of the cage :lol:

 

[the moof]

:lol: good boy :lol:

 

[kenya_1977]

One other modification.. I don't know what sort of lighting you have on there.. but you could add in some succulent plants away from his prefered burrow. It would add something of a little more interest to the actual terrarium, not as harsh as a cactus, and can take a good dry out.

Also, snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata) are a good borderline succulent, easy to keep, not picky with light or water.

Plants and stuff can give a feeling of security to an animal. Something to retreat to that doesn't require burrowing. He might be more likely to stay out a little more.

 

[docszoo]

Ok, thanks!!!! He kinda burrows all over the place, but mabye not... :? :lol:

 

[twitch_doberman]

thats what my frogs were! lol i caught 2 of those guys on a night time walk here in AZ i kep them for many many months used just dirt and sand . they seemed to really like it. they're awesome frogs i have some funny pictures i'll have to post sometime. i ended up letting them go when i got my flying gecko i do miss them, ate like crazy to!

 

[twitch_doberman]

his new viv looks much better. maybe to make it moist just use a spray bottle and spray here and there. make sure there is a large water dish like a tupperware with some rocks in the bottome and enough wter to submerge himself. mine always like to take a dip here and there. and even if you just go out and find some grasses to dig up and plant it helps. they liked the plants and some sticks and stuff to blend with.