How to Keep a Couch's Spadefoot Toad As a Pet

Couch's spadefoot toads are native to the southwest United States, the Baja Peninsula and Mexico. Spadefoot toads are green or yellow/green in color, have large eyes and hind feet that have spade-like ridges, which they use to dig. They are finely adapted to the arid desert conditions where they live and will stay burrowed underground for 10 or 11 months of the year, only to appear in the rainy season. Spadefoot toads can be kept in captivity, but don't like to be handled and so are a look, don't touch pet.

Things You'll Need

  • 58-quart or larger plastic storage container with lid
  • Mesh screen
  • Box cutter
  • Hobby glue gun
  • Hobby glue
  • Additive-free potting soil
  • Halved hollow log
  • Slab of wood
  • Artificial plants (optional)
  • Crickets
  • Mealworms or superworms
  • Tropical fish flakes or cricket food
  • Water bowl
  • Misting bottle
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a 58-quart or larger plastic storage container with at least 2 inches of additive-free potting soil. Toads need to be able to dig and burrow to feel secure. In the wild, the spadefoot toad will dig down up to 3 1/2 feet in loose soil. A 58-quart container is large enough to house one or two toads maximum.

    • 2

      Cut out the center of the storage container lid with a box cutter. Use a hobby glue gun to glue a section of mesh window screen material over the hole in the lid to provide ventilation to the enclosure.

    • 3

      Place halved hollow logs or slabs of wood in the enclosure for the toad to dig and hide under. Logs are available at most pet stores.

    • 4

      Use artificial plants to decorate the toad enclosure. Toads will uproot and kill live plants, so use artificial plants that are available at pet stores.

    • 5

      Place a shallow bowl with 1/2 inch dechlorinated water in the enclosure. Toads don't drink, but need a bowl with a small amount of water to soak in.

    • 6

      Feed the toad crickets every two or three days. "Gutload" the crickets with tropical fish flakes or cricket food for a few days before offering them to the toad. Crickets should be feed to increase their nutritional value. Crickets are available at most pet stores. If the toad is a baby, feed it pinhead crickets daily until it is grown. Small mealworms or superworms can also be offered, but be sure they aren't too large or they can harm the toad.

    • 7

      Mist the toad with a water mister lightly each day. Toads don't require much moisture, but appreciate a light misting of water.

    • 8

      Observe the toad daily. Change its water and feed it, but avoid handling. Toads are shy, quiet creatures and don't like to be touched. Handling will stress the toad and can be detrimental to its health.