For more detailed breeding information on some common species see the species reports in section Species. Here a summary which might encourage to breed species that have not been bred so far.


General information:

Outside after a winter or summer dormancy faivourable changes of temperature, humidity, food and lighting conditions encourage higher activity of the toads. If such a period is followed by a longlasting rain many species suddenly spawn.

For breeding toads in a terrarium you need to simulate these conditions. Not all species are equal demanding, but many require a combination of a several factors for getting ready to breed.

The only known exception is Bufo brongersmai. This small Bufo species is getting ready to breed under yearround nearly constant conditions.


Preparation:

Species from climates with cold season are given a several weeks long winter dormacy (European and North American species approx. 8-10 weeks) at temperatures between 5-12°C (Bufo bufo even as cold as 1°C, not higher!) depending on origin and species.

No weak or thin toads should be given a dormancy. But for developement of eggs these species need a dormancy at a temperature at which they get nearly inactive. If temperature is cool but not cold enough for the certain species the toads stay active, lose much weight and will not develop eggs.

Species from climates with dry season are kept dry for a several weeks (Bufo regularis approx. 6 weeks).

Other species live in regions with neither cold winter nor very dry summer. These also in the terrarium must be given less extreme conditons (only somewhat cooler or drier) and do not go into real dormancy.

After dormancy the toads should be kept under moist conditions for some weeks (Bufo regularis) or even up to 1 month (Bufo americanus) or 2 months (Bufo speciosus) and the terrarium should be given a good spray daily.

Some species (Bufo regularis) should be given a water area already that time. Other species are moved to a larger water container later on (European and North American species).

Feeding more often than usual supports simulation of a season faivourable for breeding.

Taking these steps only often is not enough. Many species also require the possibility to walk around.

Observations showed that walking quickly results in developement of nuptial pads in male European Common Toads (Bufo bufo).

My male Bufo cognatus and speciosus on the other hand only require 1 1/2 to 2 months of humid keeping conditions for developping nuptial pads. Development of nuptial pads in Bufo cognatus and speciosus also seems to be completely independend from hibernation or maturity. Even my male toadlets developped great nuptial pads only two months after metamorphosis.

Which further effects walking has still is unclear. But if breeding is difficult to achieve - which often depends on the females - the toads are given a free walk for some days. Thereafter the toads often should be willing to breed.

The known cases in which captive breeding occured all were after the toads possibly had been more active than usual, stimulated by natural conditions outside, a free walk or new surroundings after moving to another place.

There are a several possibilities to encourage your toads to walk around under terrarium conditions: give them a free walk, repeatedly change furnishing of the terrarium, exchange substrate or change lighting conditons (use stronger light and turn off the lights later than the toads are used to). Perhaps also changes in lighting direction or moving the terrarium to another room may be useful.

As orientation of the various toad species is differing in dependence of visual sense and sence of smell you should try a several things.

It is quite possible that in species which hibernate and usually spawn only later in the year additionally rising temperature has a stimulating effect. The week before spawning my Bufo speciosus preferred to rest at the warmest place in the terrarium.

Faivourable also may be long lasting rainy weather outside even if the terrarium is located inside without any contact to the climate outside. Possibly the toads feel changes in air pressure.

Anyway, very important for successful breeding is knowing about the species natural living conditions throughout the year and to adapt terrarium conditions accordingly.


Water container/permanent rain system:

After this period in the damp terrarium you may move the toads to a water container. Some species prefer a water container with permanent rain system. In both cases you may easily rebuild a standard terrarium to serve these purposes.

For a permanent rain system all you need is a small pump connected with a tube up to the ceiling which is ending in a tube with holes (as common for external filters for fish tanks). You should cover the suction side of the pump with foam or tights material to prevent suction of dirt which might damage the pump or later spawn.

For to lean on and spawning you should place a lot of water plants (plastic plants should also work) in the water and for species which prefer amplexing outside the water a little island (for example 2 brick stones).

Many species prefer to spawn in water with rather large expanse. Water level seems not to be most important for many toad species. Anyway the first day water level should be only as high as the toads shoulders (they should be able to sit relaxed in the water). Thereafter water level may be increased by some further cm until the toads start to swim and dive. Some use rain water for this but some days old tap water should be ok, too. Many species like the water warmed up to approx. 25°C (for example use a fish tank heater).

As the water gets soiled soon (excrements and shed skin) exchange some water with somewhat cooler water (approx. 22°C) as this simulates the natural conditions after a real rain outside and has a stimulating effect.

As long as the toads are in the water you may stop feeding. If the toads do not spawn after a week keep them as before. In case the toads aversion to the water is big you should move them back to the damp terrarium much sooner.

Somewhat later you may repeat the trial in the water container again.

If the toads are ready to breed they often spawn the same or next day they are in the water. Some species already start amplexing in the damp terrarium (Bufo americanus), others show nearly no signs of breeding intentions during that period (Bufo speciosus).

The species also differ regarding their demand for rain. Bufo americanus and Bufo regularis were bred without permanent rain system; Bufo americanus even in a water container without any furnishings. In contrast to this, Bufo cognatus also in natural habitats only spawns after heavy rains, even if plenty of water is available permanently.


Spawn and tadpoles:

If the toads spawn, laying eggs may take a several hours. As the eggs often are very small, the number of eggs is extremely high even if the amount of spawn is not such great.

It is best soon to move the spawn to a several small fish tanks or to use one big. Care for good aeration of the water.

As outside many toad species usually spawn in temporary waters hatching and development of the tadpoles often happens very quickly.

The tadpoles of many species are not very demanding. Many develop fine when offered fish food tablets and water should be exchanged as soon as it gets muddy.

Optimum possibly is 1 tadpole per 1 liter water. Even if losses are very few only if more tadpoles are kept together, it is better to keep not too many together as then the tadpoles grow larger and the young toadlets will have better chances to survive.

As soon as the arms break through, place the tadpoles in another enclosure at a minimum waterlevel and offer many possibilities to climb out of the water to prevent drank young during metamorphosis.

After this phase losses of middle-sized and large toadlets are quite uncommon. The toadlets are kept outside the water and you may start feeding with the usual small insects available.


Summary:

All in short can be summarized that various combinations of the following measurements in many species possibly will encourage breeding.

- winter dormancy for species from regions with cold winter season
- dry dormancy for species from permanently warm regions with dry season
- after the dormancy keeping under damp conditions with daily spraying
- increased feeding
- free walk
- repeated change of substrate
- frequent rearranging of terrarium furnishings
- changes of lighting conditions (stronger lighting and lighting for more hours)
- additional warmth/warm bottom
- large water container, perhaps permanent rained, temperatured and with small island
- water plants or plastic plants for resting and spawning
- rainy weather outside


Spawn and tadpoles:

- move the spawn to well aerated fish tanks
- offer various fish food (herbivore)
- do not keep too many tadpoles together
- regulary exchange water
- during metamorphosis offer a container with few water and possibilities to climb out


Up to now most toad species never have been bred under terrarium conditions or no information about such success is available to the public.

It would be great if more keepers tried to breed their toads and let others know about their experiences.