Scientific Name: Bufo viridis.
Common Names: European Green Toad
Distribution: Europe, Russia, Northern Africa, and Eastern Asia.
Size: Males: 5-8cm, females: 7-10cm.
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 digits of the hands. Females have a more rounded body shape and are usually larger than males.
Colouration: There are slight variations in the colouration of these toads across their range. The background colour is usually a pinkish-buff with green - olive blotches. Some individuals have a yellow veritable stripe although this is often lacking.
Requirements: These toads are rather active individuals and require a fairly large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for 2-3 adults. They require a 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 large water bowl (no deeper than the toad's height at rest) must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. If kept in a warm room the tank will not require any additional heating. A separate light source should be provided by the means of a fluorescent UVB tube.
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.
