Question: Tiger Salamander in Same Tank with Gulf Coast Toads?

[gulfcoasttoad]

Hello all. I am new here. Interested in your thoughts on mixing species, specifically gulf coast toads and a tiger salamander. The tank is a 40 long, split 80/20 land/water with a short glass partition. The land area has a base layer of additive-free soil and several inches of sphagnum moss. The tigrinum is a CB 10 inch adult male who has lived alone in this enclosure for several years.

Three months ago, I introduced 3 WC gulf coast toads to the tank, ranging from 3-4 inches snout to vent. I have not observed any problems in the tank, even after reviewing time lapse footage that I have recorded, but now that I have become a member of caudata.org, I would like to get the community's thoughts on this setup.

 

[tmarmoratus]

Because tigers can be somewhat aggressive eaters, the tiger will likely bite one of the toads at some point in time. If or when that happens, the toad may excrete bufotoxin through it's paratoid glands - I do not know the level of toxicity in a gulf coast toad, or whether tigers have a natural immunity to bufotoxin, but it's not a risk I would take.

 

[gulfcoasttoad]

Thanks for your thoughts, tmarm. I think my bufos are large enough that size won't be a problem, but I'm certainly aware that ambystomatid salamanders will try to stuff anything they think they have a chance at in their mouths.