Questions about my firebelly toads

[xGreenTeaMochix]

So, I have 5 fire belly toads, 2 are brown, 1 is a sandy brown, and two are green. I was on the internet and I was looking up fire belly toads and I noticed that there are Oriental and European toads. Can anyone tell me which is which? Also, 3 of my frogs are bigger than the other two. Are male fire bellies bigger than the females?(sorry I don't have any pictures of all five of them together.)

 

[tylototriton]

Color variations can differ between species. Oriental can be either brown or green, while European is often brown. If my memory serves correct, and it may not, European have yellow undersides and tend to be larger. Most likely they are Oriental, those are the species you often see in pet shops. As for sexual dimorphism and size, I believe that the females are the larger of specimens usually, but the most definite way of telling them apart is when they call. Size is a difficult factor because the specimens can differ in age and diet as well.

Best of Luck,
Alex

 

[flatsco]

Color variations can differ between species. Oriental can be either brown or green, while European is often brown. If my memory serves correct, and it may not, European have yellow undersides and tend to be larger. Most likely they are Oriental, those are the species you often see in pet shops. As for sexual dimorphism and size, I believe that the females are the larger of specimens usually, but the most definite way of telling them apart is when they call. Size is a difficult factor because the specimens can differ in age and diet as well.

From all of my research into FBTs, I agree with everything Alex mentioned (including the color differences).

I think that the color of their bellies would be an important factor in identifying them: red bellies would probably indicate Oriental, while yellow bellies would probably indicate European (although I have read that CB Oriental FBTs sometimes have yellow bellies unless they are given doses of beta carotine... for courage).

Here are a couple good caresheets I've run into, including how to sex them:
http://www.pollywog.co.uk/europeanfbtcaresheet.html
http://www.pollywog.co.uk/orientalfbtcaresheet.html

 

[dario]

I think that the color of their bellies would be an important factor in identifying them: red bellies would probably indicate Oriental, while yellow bellies would probably indicate European (although I have read that CB Oriental FBTs sometimes have yellow bellies unless they are given doses of beta carotine... for courage).

That's right!
Toads of this thread are all Oriental Fire Belly.

 

[xGreenTeaMochix]

Thank you very much for your all your help

 

[berksmike]

You can get brown B.orientalis - I think its the Korean form.

 

[keechoo]

Korean Fire bellies are green (usually a bright green). There are also Russian FBTs who are brown in color with red underbellies. Some pet stores carry more Russian than Korean. And, yes, there are FBTs with yellow underbellies. They can lose the brightness of their bellies due to a lack of beta carotine. The best way to keep their bellies bright is to feed your crickets fish flakes along with whatever else you're serving you're crickets. Also, FBTs can change their color a couple of shades lighter or darker depending on what I have not found out.

Females are usually rounder in the stomach region but again this depends on their age. Many owners become worried or excited when they notice their female has become noticeably rounder either thinking they are ill or gravid. Usually it means they have reached full maturity.

 

[vincent]

Hi guys , bombina bombina is the european fire bellied toad its' very dark almost black on top with white spots on its flanks. Bombina varigata can be very dark on top with a yellow mottled belly there are 3 sub species of the yellow bellied toad .Bombina Orientalis green top from korea or china and the last one bombina maxima from china , the giant firebellied toad very glandular . Sounds like you might have a european fire belly in your collection. Hope this helps.

 

[Socrates]

I don't believe any of the toads are bombina bombina, b/c they r the smallest of the bombinas and have a different shaped mouth (more pointed) and there tubercles being more prominent. I would agree they are Bombina orientalis and that the darker ones are of the Russian area. Beautiful toads (but I would suggest getting rid of the small gravel, could lead to impactions - especially since bombina's are open mouth feeders)