Asian Giant Toad

Common Name: Asian Giant Toad
Scientific Name: Phrynoidis asper
Source: WC

Adult Size: Males 7-10cm; females 9.5-21.5cm
Native Range: Mainland SE Asia and the Greater Sundas (incl. Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Java)

Enclosure: Large terrestrial setup with deep, diggable substrate, heavy hides, and a generous shallow water area
Heating: Basking zone 28 °C; ambient day 23-27 °C; night 20-22 °C

Humidity: Provide a moisture gradient (damp retreats + drier zones) with strong ventilation and let surfaces dry between misting
UVB: Low level UVB

Diet: Mainly live invertebrates; adults commonly offered insects 3× weekly

Water: Large, shallow water bowl/section available at all times; refresh daily

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The Asian Giant Toad is a big, heavily armoured-looking bufonid that sticks close to streams and rivers, often sitting on banks or among stones where insects gather. The skin is densely covered in conical tubercles, giving it that “spiny” texture, and adults are typically dark grey-brown with greenish or reddish flecking.

Behaviour is very much dusk-to-night: they’ll hold a spot near water, then shift into slow patrols and short lunges at prey. Across its range, field observations regularly link it to flowing water, and males may call from the margins for long periods. In captivity, the key is offering real choice, dry ground, damp retreats, and easy access to water so the toad can settle into a predictable routine rather than constantly seeking the right microclimate.