Side Effects

Amphibians ... II

Aili Pauline McKeen, Connecticut, U.S.A.

The Fire bellied toads (which are technically frogs) are kept in the wet-dry habitat with three paddle tail newts. They share the same range from China through southern Asia. The newts stay in the water all the time, were as the toads like to sit partially submerged most of the time. The toads will also climb up plants and onto rocks and driftwood. These guys are all diurnal and a great fun to watch. The toads chirp and sing to each other (unfortunately all four are male, females are quite hard to find) and are very social. Their habitat is a 20 gal. long tank with about 2.5 gals. of water, land is made by making shelves from rocks and slate. I have a tiny filter and a water pump making a waterfall. Water changes are 25% twice a week. This is necessary because the newts eat little fishies such as guppies, taffies and small goldfish, and we all know how dirty goldfish can be. Cleanliness is of the utmost here as well.  I also keep two small crayfish, as they get too big I put them in my sister's koi pond and get new ones. Crayfish make great custodians, they clean everything

the fire bellied toads; Bombina orientalis live in a 30 gal vivarium

A paddle tail newt - Pachitriton labiatum

This is Clara, my 10-year-old domestic long-haired tabby. She catches all the escaped crickets.