Fish aquariums often make excellent enclosures for pet toads. The bottom of the aquarium should be covered with soil, and a large dish of water should also be provided. A tank for a pet toad can be decorated with small plants, rocks, and logs. Crickets and other small insects can be used as food for pet toads. The enclosure, as well as the toad, should also be kept moist.
A small pet toad can often be kept in a 10-gallon (38-liter) aquarium. Larger toads, however, should be kept in larger aquariums. Twenty-gallon (76-liter) aquariums will make a decent-sized tank for a medium pet toad, for instance. As a general rule, it is best to use the largest aquarium possible.
The aquarium should also have a secure cover to prevent the pet toad from leaping out. Screened covers are usually best. These can either be secured with latches, or a large rock can be placed on top of the cover.
Setting up a pet toad tank is typically very easy. Around 6 inches (15 centimeters) of soil should be used to cover the bottom of the tank. Bagged soil with fertilizer, including potting soil, should not be used for this purpose. Soil from the toad's natural habitat is usually preferable, but most types of soil can be used.
A large plastic bowl should also be provided for your pet toad. This should be large enough for the toad to swim in, if he so desires. Some toads will only hop in the water for short periods of time, while others will be in the water for very long periods of time. The container should also be sunk into the soil, to provide easy access to the makeshift pool. If possible, the rim of the dish should be level with the surface of the soil.
You should be somewhat careful regarding the water you put in your pet toad's tank. Chlorinated water can harm these animals, so non-chlorinated water is usually recommended. Regular tap water should be put in a large uncovered container and left out for a day before using it in a toad's tank.
Small plants can usually decorate a pet toad's tank. Like the soil, these plants should come from the toad's natural habitat. A place for the toad to hide, like a hollowed out log, should also be provided. Rocks and twigs can also make excellent decorations for the tank.
A pet toad will usually feed on several types of insects. Flies and moths can be caught and released into the cage, along with pill bugs and small worms. Crickets can also be purchased from a pet store and released in the cage. If a wild toad is placed in a tank, he may become very stressed and not eat. Wild toads that have not eaten within a week should be released back where they were found.