Classification
Order: anura
Family: bufonidae
Genus: duttaphrynus
Species: duttaphrynus melanostictus
Habitat
These toads occur along the Himalayas: from Pakistan and Nepal through Bangladesh and the Andaman islands to Vietnam, southern China and Java. They can also be found in Taiwan and Sri Lanka. They prefer lowlands and open areas.
Outward appearance
Adult toads reach the length of 20 cm.
These toads have several bony ridges on the top of their head, in front and above the eyes. The snout is short. The skin is covered with a layer of black tubercles. The first finger is longer than the other ones. Toes are webbed. Males have a vocal sac and black pads on their inner fingers. The back coloration varies from light yellow to black-brown.
Character
This is nocturnal species. At daytime they hide in burrows, fallen leaves, under rocks and bark. After dusk they leave their shelters and go hunting. Toads sit in one place and wait for their prey. When they sense movement, they thrust out their tongue.
They are calm and friendly animals that get used to people.
Maintenance care
Asian common toads are kept in horizontal tanks. For substrate you can use mulch, coconut husks or sphagnum, or potting soil covered with ground bark.
Shelters are not necessary, but you can decorate the tank with logs and driftwood, pieces of bark, ceramic pots. A large water bowl is a must. You will have to mist the substrate regularly.
The ideal ambient temperature is around 24-26 degrees.
Feeding
Asian common toads are insectivore. In captivity they are usually fed with termites, ants, grasshoppers, crickets, earthworms, centipedes and even mollusks. Sometimes they even eat pinky mice. Adult toads should be fed every second day, and during the cold seasons (when the temperature falls below 20 degrees) they are fed twice a week.
Diseases
Asian common toads are hardy animals that rarely get ill.
Average life span is about 4 years in the wild; in captivity they can live up to 10 years.
Breeding
Breeding is water dependent. It starts at the beginning of the wet season. In damp areas breeding takes place persist year round. The female will lay a long string of black eggs, which are externally fertilized by the male. Eggs are enclosed in a thick mucus membrane and deposited on submerged vegetation. Eggs are usually laid in a temporary pond or vernal pool.
