Hi. Yesterday after a lot of thought, I decided to get a little tub of red wigglers. We gave the toads one but it was too big, so we cut it in half (gross, I know). They ate those, but I'm wondering how we get the dirt off them? Or will it not cause problems if they eat a little of the dirt?

Also, is there anything to feed them? I know that's a weird question, but I used to know a lady that grew worms. Farmed them? She fed them all kinds of composted table scraps and stuff. lol

My last question is how many should I feed them? I have 4 toads.

Oh! And I give the crickets the cricket food, a chunk of potato, a baby carrot and the quencher stuff (it's like jellied water). I've read so many times that to help the tummies stay orange, feed the crickets carrots. Is there anything else I could feed the crickets to help the toads' tummies maintain their orange color? Some of their tummies are fading.

I would say that if you just rinse the worms off it should be fine...maybe in spring water instead of tap water so there is no chlorine residue. Not sure on the nutritional value of the worms for the fire-bellied toad's either.

And it sounds like you are gutloading the crickets just the right way. Not sure why their bellies would be fading. Best wishes.

__________________
Warmest Regards from Lyn

If you gut load your worms with veggies, like your friend with the compost, that would be the best. As for the orange, you can feed your crickets sweet potatoes. I also feed my crickets leafy greens like collard greens and my toads tummies are BRIGHT orange.

My toads eat a staple of crickets and red wigglers. If yours are just babies, they will eventually eat the entire worm.

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Oh, sweet potatos! I never even thought of those. I'll definitely give that a try. And I'll work on the veggies for the worms, too. Thank you.

I'll have to get a bottle of Aquafina to rinse the worms. Thanks for the idea.

Where do you buy these red worms???? I've never heard of them ... and will a fire-bellied toad eat small feeder fish?

I get them at Petsmart. I'm not sure about the feeder fish.

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

I got mine at Petsmart, too. You have to go to the fish/cricket section and ask them to get them for you because they keep them in the fridge in the back room. I read they'll eat baby guppies, but I don't know for sure. My toads are about 1.5" so I don't dare try it. lol