The American Toad (Natalia)

The American Toad's original habitat is just some leafy stuff in a busy place like New York City. There are most likely some in Central Park.  As tadpoles, American toads are herbivores, but when they are adults, they become carnivorous. An American toad's diet is pretty large, but not when they are babies.  They eat leaves, crushed or whole.  An adult eats flies, crickets, slugs, spiders, and more!  If you are going to take care of tadpoles, you only use spring water for them.  When you wash the tank, you cant use soap or tap water under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. You will get them sick and they will die that day. Anyway, an American toad's life cycle is pretty simple. First there is the egg, then the tadpoles, and finally a full grown American toad.  The tadpoles are very very tiny, an adult can fit about thirty tadpoles in their palm! When the tadpoles are newborn, they are blind. The tadpoles are black with a reddish brown stitch down their stomach. The tadpoles usually have gravel in their tank, and they play dead when they are scared.  (This is based on my observations today, and my research!) When tadpoles are born, they are on their own. Parents don't care for their babies at all, just giving birth is their job.  Have fun with your tadpoles!!!!!!!!!!

Here our five tapdoles are laying on the floor, "playing dead" after they were introduced to their new home here at Chelsea Prep.