Feeding toads to snakes

[bulrush]

The US eastern toad is very common. So are the tadpoles, which are out right now. I was thinking of getting a garter snake and feeding it either the tadpoles (in a dish of water) or raising baby toads for food. But the toads have a sac behind each eye which is filled with nasty fluid used to keep predators away.

Can garter snakes eat toads without being poisoned?

[ssssnakeluvr]

yes they can eat them, normal prey item in the wild. bigger concern is transmitting parasites to the snake from the toads....

[Elliot]

They can eat them, but that doesn't mean you should feed them toads in captivity. Probably not a good idea. I would just stick with the worms/safe fish/mice diet.

[Snake lover 3-25]

i fed mine toads and mice for all of last wear... and then after toad season is over they refuse to eat anything else..... so you can and they love them... but i'd only use them if it will eat nothing else..... i've never had a parasite problem... but i'm not taking any chances this year....

[Sid]

I have been through the parasite ordeal. Before knowing of the problem, I had several that would eat nothing except Toads once they had been offered. I figured what the heck, it's free food. I lost all my toad only Garters.

[adamanteus]

That's a lesson for us all, Sid. I'm sorry to hear it, but thanks for the info.

[Snake lover 3-25]

yeah.... i was lucky... and i won't use them again... eventhough they are EVERYWHERE!!!!!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I really like toads.... I don't know if I could do it!

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol yeah... but there were SOOOO many!!! so i just picked up about 20 and then took out the ones that looked different... like darker or cooler...

[el lobo]

yeah. That is all my garters will eat...mice occasionally, but the prefer the eastern toads!