Emerald Green Toad
(Bufo debilis)

Emerald green toads can be found throughout the Southwestern United States, and reach lengths of 1½ to 3 inches. The Emerald green toad’s coloration is usually a mottled greenish-yellow with dark blotches. Emerald green toads secrete a toxin when stressed.

Difficulty

NOVICE: The Emerald green toad's smaller size and excellent disposition make it an excellent choice for hobbyists to keep.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Glass or acrylic aquarium (10 gallons or more, depending on the number of emerald green toads kept) with a secure lid

Substrate, such as:

• Potting soil
• Sphagnum Moss
• Orchid Bark

A heating element, such as:

• Under the tank heater
• Incandescent heat bulb
• Ceramic infrared heat emitters

Enclosure

A 10-gallon aquarium with a secure lid should be adequate for a pair of emerald green toads. When housing emerald green toads together it is important that they are the same size to avoid canabalism. A 50/50 ratio of land to water is usually the best way to maintain Emerald green toads for breeding. A strictly forest floor type of enclosure is fine if you will not be breeding.

If using a forest floor type of setup, spot clean the enclosure regularly and replace the substrate as needed. If using a 50/50 ratio of land to water setup, spot clean the land portion and replace the substrate as needed and use a filtration system for the water. Partial water changes are recommended weekly.

Substrate

Potting soil, peat moss, orchid bark, or crushed coconut fiber are all perfectly fine, but the soil and moss will help maintain the humidity for the Emerald green toads. Try to avoid using small bark and gravel due to danger of accidental ingestion.

Heating and Light

Emerald green toads should have daytime temperatures of 75°F to 80°F. Nightime temperatures should be 60°F to 65°F. A spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter can be used to provide heat. Emerald green toads are nocturnal so they do not require UV emitting bulbs, but if using live plants in your enclosure you should use a plant grow bulb. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures.

Diet

Emerald green toads can be fed insects such as crickets, flies, fruit flies,earth worms, and just about anything smaller than their mouth can be offered. Crickets are usually the easiest and most readily available prey. When offering crickets be usre to gut load the crickets with a good diet to provide the best nutrition for your Emerald green toad. Calcium and vitamin D3 suppliments can be used at least twice a week for adults, while juveniles may need it more often. Fresh water should be provided in a dish for the Emerald green toads if a forest floor enclosure is used.