Thread: Mixing Toad Species?

Can this be done?
I have 2 European Green Toads currently. We just received some European Spadefoot Toads at work and I LOVE THEM.
They are the same size, so I wouldnt be worried about them eating each other..
Are there any other risks associated with mixing different species of toads?

Well, normally it isn't recommended to mix animals( or frogs so I assume toads count too)... Just because they might not eat eachother they might fight and injure themselves...

Dont EGT get 3" and ESFT get 4"?? would that make a diffrence?

I dont think one inch would make a difference.
Do toads fight?

I know certain species will eat toads bigger then themselves, well try. Not sure if they fight? never really crossed my mind that toads may be territorial.

Dunno. How big is the enclosure?

My toads are dumb. I dont know if they fight, I just wondered if someone had a similar experience.

Originally Posted by katie_

Are there any other risks associated with mixing different species of toads?

Yes.

• Predatory behaviors: even if similar in size, because their feeding responses tend to be strongly motion based, there is increased risk of injury to limbs and digits.
• Territorial behaviors: potentially outright dominance among some species, but even subtle effects and avoidance can have an impact on thermoregulation, feeding and access to water.
• Strength of feeding response: generally one species or the other will be more active and more reactive to the presence of food. This makes it difficult to ensure the more reserved or retiring species is being properly fed.
• Toxicity: all amphibians produce toxins. While many of these are not strong enough to cause a clinical response in humans, they can be quite dangerous to one another. Amphibians are particularly sensitive to surface contact because of the nature of their skin. Incidental contact with the toxins of another species can result in poisoning. Especially over time, with constant exposure.
• Parasite and disease transmission: in addition to the usual quarantine precautions, extra time and attention should be taken when introducing amphibians (even those of the same species), many of the potential problem causing organisms that they may be infected with go through dormant stages alternating with population blooms. Stress and changes in diet or environment can prompt growth to lethal levels.

You will note that most of these represent risks, not absolutes. I'm sure that most of us have run into someone keeping a half-dozen different animals in a single tank without any of them dying for a year or two. Not-dying isn't the same as thriving and possible isn't the same as probable, much less advisable.

This specific mix would not be a good one; depending on exactly which species of european spadefoot you've got (do you even know?), they're far more easily stressed and less aggressive feeders... that are also prone to increased toxin production when exposed to negative stimulus. It'd be a race to see if the greens got poisoned before the spadefeet fell over dead from stressors or starvation.

It's also kind of concerning that you didn't mention quarantine.

Thank you M_surinamensis, I will not be mixing the spades with my toads.
Its too bad. I would have quarantined them though, thats something I'm a stickler about.

The spades are Pelobates fuscus fuscus and my toads are Bufo viridis.
I would love to have a fully planted viv and incorporate more than one species.
Do you have any advice on possible potential tank mates?
Your knowledge is very useful, thanks for your help.

I wouldn't mix.