Oriental Fire-bellied Toad
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 Oriental Fire-bellied Toad
Bombina orientalis |
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| Bombina orientalis Boulenger, 1890 |
The Oriental Fire-bellied Toad, (Bombina orientalis) is a small (4 cm, 2") semi-aquatic frog species found in Korea, north-eastern China and adjacent parts of Russia. An introduced population exists near Beijing. They are commonly kept as pets in land and water vivariums.
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[edit] Description
Oriental fire-bellied toads are the most easily recognizable species of Bombina. They are typically a bright colored green with black mottling, but their coat can may also darken to brown and even black depending on the scenery presented. Like other forms of Bombina, Bombina Orientalis have a bright yellow to red ventral region. The skin on their dorsal side is covered in small tubercles. Although it is typically referred to as a toad, the Fire-Bellied Toad is not a member of the toad family (Bufonidae.) As such, it may properly be referred to as a frog.
In the wild, B. orientalis eat various types of small aquatic arthropods (among other things) from which they obtain Carotene, which helps to color their bellies. In captivity, providing a source of Beta-Carotene (such as carrots) to the prey insects (crickets) early in a frog's adult stage allows it to develop brighter coloration. Its fecal matter is also a bark brown color that is enveloped in something that resembled a skin and it is possible for the "capsule of sorts" to be gently removes if pierced the waste matter will quickly disperse in the water, this shouldn't be a problem if you have a filtration system.
[edit] Habitat
Like other Bomb species, B. orientalis is mostly aquatic, inhabiting warm, humid forested regions. They spend most of their time soaking in shallow pools, among dense vegetation.
When kept in captivity, it is important to provide adequate hiding places as Bombina Orientalis need to feel a sense of security. They tend to spend the majority of their time basking in neck-level dechlorinated water (if they don't completely immerse themselves.) An ideal and affordable filter is the ELITE Mini Filter, as long as the outlet is blocked in some way ideally by a barrier of stones, it disperses the water better.
They are noted for their bright green and black coloration on their backs, and brilliant orange and black on their underside. These bright colors serve as a warning to predators (as in "I'm toxic!"). While not the most toxic of amphibians, regular handling is not recommended (avoid if there are cuts on your hands) and your hands should always be washed thoroughly immediately after touching the frog (or cleaning the tank for that matter). The toxin is secreted through the skin on the belly in a milky-like substance although harmless to the skin of most, if ingested it can cause discomfort.
[edit] Reproduction
Breeding takes place in the spring with the warming of the weather and increase in rain. Males call to the females with a light barking croak. They jump onto the back of any other fire-bellied toad that happens to pass by, often leading to male-male confusion, but rarely any sort of fighting. Females lay anywhere from 40 to 100 eggs in a large cluster, usually around submerged plants, near the water's edge. Tadpoles hatch from the eggs in 3-10 days depending on the temperature of the water. The larvae begin to develop legs in 6-8 weeks, and are fully metamorphosed and begin venturing on land in 12-14 weeks.
[edit] In captivity
In the United States, B. orientalis is commonly kept as a pet. They are generally a hardy species that do well in captivity if given good water quality. They are commonly fed with small crickets dusted with a calcium powder if they are not previously fed beta-carotene rich food. They can also be fed with other small insects and grubs. They should not be fed mealworms, as these larva possess hard shells which Fire-bellied Toads have a hard time digesting or passing.
Fire-bellied Toads are usually fed live food. They only hunt prey which moves, ignoring any food item which is too slow or still. At times, they may even release prey that doesn't put up a strong enough fight. Some keepers have success by "hand" feeding food items, attaching pieces to a long piece of wood or straw and waving it in front of the frogs. Oriental Fire-Bellied Toads can be trained to accept food in this manner.
Because members of the Bombina genus have short, round tongues that cannot be pushed out of the mouth, Fire-bellied Toads cannot spit out items that have been accidentally taken into the mouth. As a result, their enclosures must not include gravel of a size which may be accidentally ingested. Larger rocks, Eco Earth or sand, may be used instead. An animal which swallows a piece of gravel it cannot pass will die unless it receives medical attention.
In captivity, Oriental Fire-bellied Toads have lived for more than a dozen years, with 15 years being common. Some older reports document them as living up to 30 years.
Oriental Fire-bellied Toads should be kept in water, with some kind of land or island which allows them to periodically climb out of the water. An ideal enclosure has plenty of land and water-based hiding places, as well as a land-based location suitable for depositing live food. Fire-bellied Toads have a sensitivity to chlorine - tap water should be treated or allowed to stand for several days, to allow chlorine to dissipate, before adding it to their environment. In most countries the amount of chlorine in the water supply is far to great for it to just dissipate, it is highly recommended that it is treated instead.
[edit] References
- Kuzmin et al (2004). Bombina orientalis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- LivingUnderworld: Bombina they also eat each other when the mateing is over!
[edit] Further reading
