Bufo valliceps (Gulf Coast Toad)

Age: 10-15 years
Origin: Central and South America
Length: Up to 10 centimeters
The back of this animal varies from almost black to various shades of brown and gray. Striped white and yellow lines can be found in the middle, sometimes with lighter areas on the sides.

Care
Experience: Beginner frog keeper
Food: Insectivore
Feeding adults: Every 2 to 3 days
Feeding young: Daily
Water bowl: Water bath 7 to 10 cm deep
Water change: Daily

Diet
The Gulf Coast toad has insects on its menu such as crickets, flies, moths, small grasshoppers, and fruit flies. It is best to feed these insects live to encourage hunting; this is good for the animals' health. Remove uneaten prey to prevent the resting frogs from being disturbed or harmed. The best time to feed the frogs is after daylight has faded, as they become active then. To compensate for a calcium and vitamin D3 deficiency in captivity, the prey animals can be dusted with vitamins and minerals; these can be purchased at a pet store.

Water
A large water bowl that they fit into completely is important so that they can take a bath.

Cleaning
Keeping the terrarium clean is very important. The water in the water bath must be changed daily, as toads often use the water as a toilet. Inspect the terrarium daily, remove dirty furnishings, clean them, and put them back. The entire terrarium and interior must be cleaned several times a year. If disinfectants are needed for cleaning (use only mild variants), rinse everything thoroughly and dry it off. This prevents the sensitive frog skin from coming into contact with chemicals.

Handling
The toad should be handled as little as possible, otherwise you will damage the skin; even a small amount of salt on our hands can irritate the skin. If necessary, you can catch them by letting them walk into a container without using your hands. Housing
Minimum enclosure size for 2 animals: 60x40x40 centimeters
Daytime temperature: 25-30 degrees Celsius
Nighttime temperature: 15-20 degrees Celsius
Light hours: 12 to 14 hours per day
Lighting: If you wish to hang UVB lamps for the animals, use a maximum of 2.5% UVB and no higher. This can harm your animals.
Humidity level: 70-80%
Substrate: Moisture-retaining covering such as Hydro granules topped with bark, peat plates, and flat stones. This can be covered with live moss.

Environment
The toad must hide under sheets of cork bark or hollowed-out logs. The substrate must be deep enough so that the toad can burrow into it; they do this to rest. Behavior
Hunting method: At night, at dusk, it hunts insects
Lifestyle: Nocturnal
Character
Gulf coast toads are nocturnal and hunt insects when dusk falls. During the day, you can often find them resting in the substrate.

Points of attention
The substrate must be refreshed regularly as they use it as a toilet.

Costs and Purchase
Legislation: -

One-off costs: The cost of the animal and the enclosure.

Fixed costs: food and clean substrate.

Unexpected costs: veterinary costs should the animal become ill.