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Care Sheet: Siberian Sand Toads (Bufo raddei)

Common Name: Siberian Sand Toad, Mongolian Toad, Radde's Toad.

Scientific Name: Bufo raddei.

Distribution: Russia, north-eastern Pakistan, Mongolia, Korea, northern China.

Size: Males: 5cm, females: 8cm.

Sexing: Males can be identified by the vocal sack that appears as a stretched-looking skin on their throats. They also have a nuptial pad on the first finger, and are smaller in overall size and proportion than females.

Colouration: The dorsal surface can range from a light olive to a greenish grey with large dark spots and a single light-grey dorsal line, red spots appear along the flanks in older specimen. The Ventral surface is a light grey with a few odd dark spots.

Requirements: These small beautiful toads require only a small tank A 24"x12"x15" tank would be adequate for 4 adults. They require a savannah / semi-dessert type set-up with a substrate of sandy topsoil. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark, rock and plants (live or plastic) can be arranged to provide a number of climbing and hiding places. A medium sized water bowl (no deeper than the toad's height at rest) must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. The water will need to be changed daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria in the water whilst changing the water it is a good idea to visually inspect the tank and remove, clean and replace any soiled items. If kept indoors the tank will not usually require additional heating as long as the temperature of the room does not drop bellow 15°C. A fluorescent UVB tube can be used as a source of light. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile friendly disinfectant.

Feeding: For adults a mixture of suitably sized insects including crickets, caterpillars, beetles and ants should be fed every two-three days. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once a week. Young toads will take hatchling crickets, aphids, fruitflies, and are especially fond of springtails. These should be fed every day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week.

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