Okay. Making a box terrarium/container/vivarium ( all the same thing ) can be really fun. And you get to see your toad enjoy something that you made. Before you go on PLEASE READ AND NOTE CAREFULLY THE FOWLLOWING STATEMENT PLEASE NOTE- these box terrariums are SMALL and for some toads, you may need to make 2 or three and connect them together to make a DECENT SPACE FOR YOUR TOAD! These are LIVING ANIMALS and you have to treat them like a baby! Or one mornin' you may wake up with a deceased toad! Here are a few ways to tell if your toad needs more space! When you handle your toad ( and handling will be discussed at a later time on a different page ) , if he/she tries to get away, PUT IT DOWN! This is a sign of either stress, or unfortunately he/she doesn't like you very much. You should handle your toads about 2-5 minutes ( max ) each day until it will hand feed from you and can calmly sit in your hand. This toad has now become tame! Some toads with different personalitys may get used to you a lot faster than others. This brings me to a few other things. If he/she urinates on you, it is a signal to BACK IT ON UP! Put it down and go wash your hands. Toads have paratoid glands behind their ears which secrete a milky, thick toxin. This is used to paralyze or kill predators. If your toad does this, if it is wild caught, let it go. You can get another. If it is bought.... well it just doesn't like you. If it puffs up, it thinks you are a predator. And when handling, always check its eyes. Make sure they are clear or your toad may be sick. Then check its vocal sac. If it's beating hard and uneven, it's scared. You should put it down. If breathing is slow and even, it's used to you. If your toad is a male ( and it makes noise, meaning it's a male ) and you hold it and it makes noise, it is scared. Now, back to the terrarium!
Okay. You're going to need the following- 1 or more boxes, really sharp scissors or a box blade/cutter. Dirt, a water bowl and at least one hiding spot per toad in your terrarium! Of course additional plants or rocks are good too. You'll also need plastic baggie or plastic wrap to make the windows.
Okay so take your box. First, you're going yo need to cut the "windows". Now take your plastic bag and cut along the sides so you make it flat. Tape or glue this around the box to make see through windows. Now here's the dirty part. Take your dirt and fill the box with AT LEAST one inch of dirt. Then place the water bowl inside. Make the dirt fairly level with the water bowl. ALWAYS USE SPRING WATER OR STALE WATER OR DE-CHLORINED WATER!!! Stale water means taking water and leaving it out for about 48 hours. The chemicals in the water should evaporate. Or use de-chlorine drops. Now add your rocks and accessories. ALSO NOTE! Toads can swim but can as well DROWN! The water should be only a little below the toads eyes or you might kill it!
You may need to make several and connect them through the windows, depending on how big you want your terrarium.
And that, my friends, is how you built a box terrarium!
