Bufo valliceps (Gulf Coast Toad)

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

Care
Experience: Novice frog keeper
Food: Insectivore
Feed adult: Every 2 to 3 days
Feed young: Daily
Water basin: Water bath of 7 to 10 cm deep
Water change: Daily

Power supply
The gulf coast toad eats insects such as crickets, flies, moths, small grasshoppers and fruit flies. It is best to give these insects alive to promote hunting, this is good for the health of the animals. Remove uneaten prey to avoid disturbing or damaging resting frogs. The best time to feed the frogs is after daylight has gone out as that is when they become active.

To compensate for a shortage of calcium and vitamin D3 in captivity, the prey animals can be powdered with vitamins and minerals, which can be purchased at a pet store.

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

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

Handling
The pad should be handled as little as possible because otherwise you will damage the skin, even a little salt on our hands can already affect the skin. If necessary, you can catch them by letting them run into a container without using your hands.

Housing
Minimum size accommodation for 2 animals: 50x50x40 centimeters
Day temperature: 25-30 degrees Celsius
Night temperature: 15-20 degrees Celsius
Hours of light: 12 to 14 hours a day
Humidity Level: 70-80%
Soil cover: Moisture-retaining cover such as Hydro granules with bark, peat plates and flat stones on top. This can be covered with live moss.

Design
The toad has to hide under plates of cork bark or hollowed-out trunks. The bedding should be deep enough for the toad to burrow into, this is what they do to rest.
Toads also need UV light to stay healthy. They need UV radiation to make vitamin D. To get UV radiation into the accommodation, you can use a UV lamp.

Behaviour
Hunting method: In the night at dusk it hunts for insects
Lifestyle: Nocturnal
Character
Gulf Coast toads are nocturnal and hunt for insects at dusk. During the day you can often find them in the bedding where they rest.

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

Cost and Purchase
Legislation:-
One-off costs: The costs of the animal and the accommodation.
Fixed costs: food and clean bedding.
Unexpected costs: vet costs should the animal become ill