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Common Name: European Fire-bellied Toad, Common Fire-bellied Toad. Scientific Name: Bombina bombina. Distribution: Central Balkans, Denmark, Russia, central and eastern Asia. Size: 4cm. Sexing: The males of this species can be heard calling, this is the most reliable way of sexing. The males also tend to have larger forelimbs and nuptial pads are visible on the thumbs however these pads are difficult to spot. Coloration: The dorsum is a dark brown – black with irregular darker markings, some may have a small amount of green present. The ventral surface has a high proportion of black with orange - yellow blotches and small white specks. In certain areas of the wild they will cross-breed with the Yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina variegata). |
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Requirements: These small colorful toads live best as a group, a 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a group of 6 adults. These toads can be housed in a woodland / marshland type set up with a substrate of bark chips, gravel and moss. Furnishings such as drift-wood, cork bark, rock, pebbles and plants (live or otherwise) can be arranged to provide hiding places. A number of large deep water bowls must be provided with clean dechlorinated or spring water. The water will need to be partially 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. 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 sterilized using an amphibian / reptile friendly disinfectant. Fire-bellied Toads may also be housed in an aqua-terrarium. Feeding: For adults a mixture of suitably sized insects including crickets, mealworms, flies, waxworm, earthworm, caterpillars and moths should be fed every two-three days. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once a week. Young toads will take whiteworm, bloodworm, hatchling crickets, fruitflies and aphids, these should be fed every day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week. |
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