Re: toad and salamander need homes

[June Olberding <jdolb1@comcast.net>]

Hi Don,
Actually she has been a "free range" toad. She has lived her whole live in
my greenhouse which has a 2x16 foot dirt planting bed on the floor. She has
lived among the plants and suns herself on the floor sill. She will dig into
dirt to hide or to bed down. In late summer she hibernates till about Feb.
In the house she will probably not try to hibernate.

Re the dog. If he is just curious, she would likely just try to get away and
hide. If the dog bites hard of course she is toast, but if dog can pursure
her and frighten her, she is likely to produce a mildly toxic and very nasty
tasting white creamy looking substance around her eyes and head glands. If
the dog gets one lick of this, it probably won't approach a toad again. AFA
people, the substance is not toxic but will burn if you get it in the eyes
so is good idea to rinse hands after handeling any toad and don't lick cane
toads unless you want to take a trip ;->. We discovered the eye irritation
thing years ago when backpacking and found a nice western toad on the trail.
Everyone picked up and looked at the toad. My husband happened to rub an eye
and cryed for a couple miles as there was no stream handy to wash it out.

She can safely hop around in a room with usual safety precautios for small
soft bodied things. She is triggered to eat when things wiggle and move so
she isn't at risk for eating things on floors that might harm her.
I hand feed her by dropping a worm, magots etc in front of her and she will
chase it down. She does better handeling smaller worms but can and will
"shove" a very large nightcrawler into her mouth with her front feet. Not
excatly a role model for manners but really cute.
On several occasions when I was quietly working barefoot in the greenhouse,
I would feel something on a toe and look down to find her trying to grab my
toe with her tongue.
Your daughter will have great time with her. When I see you at meeting, I
will tell you what I think is simple, easy way to set up her tank.
Thanks and see you in May.
June


on 4/21/04 9:52 AM, DonaldR at gsmd_bari@yahoo.com wrote:

> Thanks June,
> Where does she usually hang out when not in the 15 gal?  Just trying to
> plan logistics with our doggie.
> 
> --- June  Olberding <jdolb1@comcast.net> wrote:
>> Hi Don,
>> 
>> This toad would be prefect for your 12 yo. "Miss Toad" is almost
>> large
>> enough to fill the palm of a hand and has very nice green and cream
>> markings. For a toad she is beautiful. She is well accustomed to
>> eating
>> earthworms and fishing maggots and loves crane fly larve. I don't
>> know if
>> you have every observed a toad "hunt" but they wiggle their back toes
>> as
>> they hone in on the prey.
>> Now if that doesn't sell you, I don't know what will ;->
>> If you would like, I can bring  her to May meeting. She will have
>> time to
>> fatten up from hibernation by then and be used to people again.
>> Let me know what you decide and there is a free 15 gallon tank to
>> house her
>> if you like.
>> 
>> June
>> 

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