Toad for sale in the Netherlands

Toads: behaviour and suitability

Toads often sit buried and hunt moving prey at night. They should not be mixed with smaller animals and their skin secretion may irritate human and animal eyes and mucous membranes. Always assess the actual animal and, when a trade label covers several species, verify the scientific name before acquisition. Age, sex, health and previous housing can noticeably influence behaviour.

Care and housing

Provide pesticide-free digging substrate, hides, clean shallow water, species-specific temperature and properly gut-loaded insects. Handle only when necessary with wet gloves and wash hands immediately afterwards. Set up the complete enclosure before the animal arrives and record relevant values and daily behaviour. A sudden change in appetite, activity, breathing, posture or droppings calls for a check of the environment and, where needed, knowledgeable help.

Health and responsible acquisition

Ask for scientific name, captive origin, chytrid screening and expected size. Check skin, posture, eyes and appetite and never collect toads or larvae from Dutch nature. Ask the seller about age, origin, current care and known health problems, and ensure any documents belong to the animal offered. Never choose on colour, size or price alone, and identify a knowledgeable veterinarian or other species expert before urgent problems arise.