Not all pets are furry........

So this post is for Coastal Aussie, who appears to be something of a frog woman. I made a comment on her blog about having toads as pets and so she asked if I had any photos of them. Well, I didn't, but it made me think that I should. So off I trot with my trusty Nikon and here, ladies and gentlemen, are the results. Now, you are all going to have to admit that they really are very cute, warts and all.

Just in case you are wondering, they are oriental fire-bellied toads (Bombina orientalis) and they do make great pets. They are very easy to keep and require very little attention. All they really need is a smattering of crickets every few days and that is about it. I will clean out their aquarium about once a year - this generally happens when the pump starts to cough and splutter and then finally refuses to do anything but make sucky, grating and very irritating noises. I would have to say that the only real downside to them is that they do require live food - they will not eat anything that is not moving. A cricket can be sitting right on top of their heads and the toads will just sit there. As long as the cricket stays still, it is quite safe. So, I guess I have to admit that they are not the brightest of animals, but then neither are my cats! They also have limitations in terms of sitting on laps and being all warm and furry and they don't do well in the park or on long walks in the country - but then neither do my cats! They can do the warm and furry bit, but that is about it. In fact, I am beginning to realise that my pets really aren't much good at anything at all, except, of course, being very, very cute!