Scientific Name: Bufo melanostictus.
Common Names: Black-spined Toad, House Toad, Shingleback Toad, Gold Toad, Asian Toad, Spined Warty Toad.
Distribution: Asia.
Size: 8-10cm.
Sexing: The males of this species can be heard calling, this is the most reliable way of sexing. The males also tend to have darker skin on the throat and during breeding season nuptial pads appear on the first three fingers. Females have a more rounded body shape and are usually larger than males.
Colouration: Pale buff background with jet-black tubercles and orange-brown markings. These brown markings may be absent on juveniles.
Requirements: These toads are rather large individuals and require a fairly large terrarium. A 24x12x15" tank would be adequate for 2 adults, a 36x12x15" could house upto 4. They require a woodland / savannah type set-up with a substrate of bark chips, sandy topsoil, and moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark, rock, pots, wood and sturdy leafed plants can be arranged to provide a number of climbing and hiding places. A large water bowl must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. The humidity in the tank should be kept between 60-75% and the tank will need to be heated to a daytime temperature of 25 - 28°C with a drop at night to 20-22°C. UVB lighting of 2-5% may be provided for a 12-14hr period during the day but if a good supplemented diet is provided then UVB lighting is optional.
Maintenance: Water will need changing daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria. Whilst changing the water it is a good idea to spot clean the tank and remove, clean, and replace any soiled items. At least once a month the entire terrarium and it's contents should be striped, cleaned, and sterilized using an amphibian friendly disinfectant.
Feeding: Juvenile Toads should be fed daily with a mixture of suitably sized insects including small crickets and mini-mealworms. The food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement two-three times a week. Adult Toads should be fed every two-three days with a mixture of crickets, regular mealworms, earthworms, flour beetles, waxworms, moths, and caterpillars. The food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement once a week.
