Data sheet Chinese fire-bellied toad
Latin name:
Bombina orientalis
Origin:
southeastern Siberia, northeastern China, Korea
Size (in cm:
5-6 cm
behavior/stocking
Lining:
live insects and worms
Behave:
Active during the day and at dusk, quiet outside of the mating season, peaceful with one another
Life expectancy:
10-20 years
Groups vs. individual housing:
in groups of at least 3-5 animals
Difficulty level:
suitable for beginners Steven G. Johnson, Bombina-orientalis-AMNH, CC BY-SA 3.0
Introduction
If you are interested in keeping amphibians, there is a high probability that you will meet the Chinese fire-bellied toad at some point.
Their strong coloring and interesting behavior make them particularly popular in terraristics. In addition, its maintenance requirements are quite easy to meet, which is why it is often recommended for beginners.
acquisition and maintenance
The purchase of Chinese fire-bellied toads is possible without any problems. Since this is not a rare species, it can often be purchased in the terrarium department of specialist shops. When buying, you should definitely get one proof of origin let give.
There is no obligation to register the Chinese fire-bellied toad in Germany, but since there is a risk of confusion with native, protected species, proof of origin is mandatory. Different local regulations are also possible.
Before buying, you should consider that the animals are a hibernation need. From September to May it should be possible to keep the toads cool in a separate terrarium. During this time, temperatures of 4-6° C must be guaranteed. Abandoning the hibernation has negative effects on the development and growth of the animals.
requirements for the terrarium
For a small group of Chinese fire-bellied toads, a terrarium with a Minimum size of 60x30x45 cm advisable. The animals need one in it land and a water part, whereby the water part can take up more than half of the terrarium. The animals prefer to stay in shallow water. However, offer them a deeper water hole for diving.
There is no need for a filter if the water is checked daily for impurities and changed regularly. If a filter is nevertheless used, the flow must not be too strong. Water treatment agents must be avoided at all costs, as they harm the animals.
When it comes to furnishing, the Chinese fire-bellied toads are otherwise quite undemanding. You feel with many hiding places probably. Densely planted areas of land encourage the animals to hunt. There is no need for climbing opportunities as they are mostly on the ground.
The temperatures are optimal at 18-25 °C. A spot can be installed on land, which brings the temperature to 30 °C at the spot. The water part stays cool at 20-24 °C. The humidity may be between 60 and 80%.
gender differences
The difference between the sexes is already easily recognizable from the outside. Males are slightly slimmer than females and their skin warts are more pronounced. They have between the toes significantly larger webbed feet. They also form black calluses on their fingers when they become sexually mature.
In addition to the external features, the mating call a clear sign of male gender. This species does not have a sound bladder, which means that the calls are comparatively quiet, but still clearly audible. Female toads make no calls. On the other hand, they can be observed spawning 3-4 times a year. A female lays about 40 to 260 eggs per spawning period.
feed and nutrition
In the wild, Chinese fire-bellied toads feed on small insects, worms and slugs. They can be fed the commercially available feeder insects or worms in captivity. Since the hunting instinct is only triggered by movement stimuli, this must be the case food alive Tobe offered.
When raising tadpoles, you can initially feed them lettuce or dandelions. Fish food flakes can be used later. Only after the metamorphosis does feeding with mosquito larvae or Tubifex start.
acclimatization and handling
After moving into the new terrarium, the animals need an acclimatization period. You need to recover from the stress of transportation. In addition, the new environment is still unfamiliar. The facility and the climatic conditions are different. A few days rest make it easier for the animals to arrive and feel comfortable.
Even after the acclimatization phase, the toads remain pure observation animals. They should only be touched when absolutely necessary. Like all amphibians, the Chinese fire-bellied toad has a secretion on its skin that protects it from bacteria and fungi.
If you touch the animal, the protective coat is attacked and diseases can develop more easily. When catching, gloves should therefore be worn or a plastic container should be used directly.
Newly acquired animals should always be observed in a quarantine box first. The new stock may only move into the actual terrarium if there are no signs of disease for a period of several days.
Other questions
Is it possible for Chinese fire-bellied toads to socialize with other animals?
A socialization with certain newt species can work, but is not advisable. Under no circumstances should the Chinese fire-bellied toad be socialized with other toads.
They can mate with each other, making it too species hybrids comes. It doesn’t matter whether it’s European or Asian toads.
Are Chinese fire-bellied toads poisonous?
In case of danger, the toad can enter via the skin glands milky secretion secrete, which is a potent poison for small animals. The secretion has a skin-irritating effect on humans. It should never get in the eyes or on mucous membranes.