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Care Sheet: Variegated Toad (Bufo variegatus)

Common Name: Variegated Toad, Christmas Toad, Chilean Toad.

Scientific Name: Bufo variegatus.

Distribution: Chile, Peru.

Size: 4-5cm.

Sexing: The males of this species are often the smaller sex, and nuptial pads are in place on the first fingers. The males rarely call but when they do they produce a sound not unlike that of a chick.

Colouration: Green - brown backgrounds with a light grey dorsal stripe and often light grey markings down either side. The underside is off-white with reticulated black spots

Requirements: These toads are small individuals with a tendency to walk rather than jump and require a fairly small terrarium. A 24"x12"x12" tank would be adequate for an adult pair. They require a humid woodland type set-up with a substrate of bark chips, sandy topsoil, and moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark, rock and sturdy leafed plants can be arranged to provide a number of climbing and hiding places. A small shallow 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. The tank will need to be heated to a daytime temperature of 25 - 26°C with a drop at night to 20-22°C this can be done with an under-tank heat-mat controlled by a thermostat. It is not advisable to use spot / heat lamps with amphibians and so a separate light source should be provided by the means of a fluorescent UVB tube. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile friendly disinfectant.

Feeding: Juvenile Toads should be fed daily with a mixture of suitably sized insects including hatchling crickets, white worm and fruit fly. 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, earthworms, waxworm, and ants. The food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement once a week.