Information on Mating Fire-Bellied Toads

If you love keeping and breeding frogs and reptiles, the fire-bellied toad -- scientifically known as Bombina orientalis -- is the right pet for you. These toads require minimal care and are not that expensive to raise. Also, they are relatively quiet compared to other species of toads and frogs. As long as the fire-bellied toads have the ideal conditions, they will successfully mate.

  1. Mating Season

    • Breeding season begins in spring, in April and May. However, it can extend until the middle of August. During this period, the male develops small tubercles on the back and upper regions of the hind legs. These protrusions have a black tip. In addition, the males also develop nuptial pads on the inner surface of their forelegs. The males do not have external vocal sacs and hence, their mating calls are rather subdued. Fire-bellied males produce a soft moan or muffled barking sound to attract the females. If the female is receptive, the male will clasp her just in front of the hind legs. This mating embrace is known as amplexus.

    Cooling Down Period

    • Fire-bellied toads require a cooling down period to mark the onset of the mating season. This period lasts for about six weeks. Many pet owners tend to keep their toads in the basement, where the temperature is maintained at about 45 degrees Fahrenheit, with eight hours of light every day. Alternatively, the toads can be placed into plastic food containers and placed into the refrigerator. Fill two-thirds of container with moist moss and maintain the refrigerator temperature between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Feed the toads once a week. After removing the toads from the refrigerator, transfer them to the terrarium and allow them to adjust. After a couple of days, feed them crickets four times a week and waxworms once a week. For the first week, expose the toads to 10 hours of photoperiod and then gradually increase the light duration each week by one to two hours -- until it reaches 14 hours.

    Laying Eggs

    • After successful mating, the female fire-bellied toad lays more than 250 eggs in small clusters or singly. The eggs are laid on rocks, aquatic plants and aquatic debris. They hatch in about six days.

    Tadpoles

    • Upon hatching, the tadpoles consume the yolk in their stomachs by absorbing the nutrients from it. Thereafter, they begin swimming around. Fire-bellied tadpoles feed on algae and detritus. In captivity, feed the tadpoles crushed fish flakes containing high amounts of carotenes. Carotenes are important for the tadpoles, as they help them develop their characteristic orange-red bellies when they turn into adults. You can also feed them dead baby brine shrimp and Daphnia once a week. They begin metamorphosing six weeks after hatching, provided the external temperature is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit and the tadpoles receive good nourishment.

    Toadlets

    • Fire-bellied toadlets are omnivorous and they are known to prey on small invertebrates, even before their tails are reabsorbed by the body. In captivity, the toadlets thrive on a diet of fruit flies and pinhead crickets. Feed them five to six times a week. Dust the food with calcium and vitamins to prevent deficiency and facilitate proper growth.