Defining Characteristics:

• Intermediate to keep
• Medium-sized toad species
• Can be reclusive
• Can be kept in groups

Name: Moroccan Green toads go by the scientific Barbarophryne brongersmai. It is typically called the Tiznit Toad, and sometimes the Brongersma Toad. This species was moved out of the genus Bufo in 2013. This toad is in the family Bufonidae, and is considered a true toad. Barbarophryne is derived from barbaro, meaning Barbary (the northwestern African region), and phryne, meaning ‘toad’ in Greek.

Recommended Enclosure Size & Setup: Housing Moroccan Green Toads can be tricky due to their preference for more arid enclosures. These anurans require a humid hide, often somewhat underneath the top layer of the substrate. A 24x18x12 glass terrarium or a 20-gallon long tank can comfortably accommodate 2 to 3 adults. Ventilation is a must, as these toads will not tolerate stagnant moist air for very long. A screen top will help provide this. 

Substrate recommendations vary considerably, but we have found that Josh’s frogs Desert Biobedding works well. Provide plenty of décor that your Moroccan Green Toads can climb and hide in, such as cork bark tubes and flats, or rocky structures like slate. 

A shallow water bowl should be provided, as well. Moroccan green toads do benefit from UVB lighting such as a 5.0 or UVB100 UVB bulb.

Temperature (°F): They can tolerate temperatures from 70 to over 85°F, but ideally are kept slightly warmer than room temperature, from the mid-to-high 70s. A low wattage basking spot can help to elevate temperatures into a safe range.

Humidity: In the wild, precipitation and humidity fluctuates based on season, with a light rainy season in the early part of the year. Moroccan green toads can handle a wide range of humidity levels, but prefer a range around 40-60% with plenty of ventilation/air movement. Moist, stagnant air is a big no-no when keeping older Barbarophryne brongersmai, while very young animals dry out easily and prefer an elevated humidity. 

Routine misting and a full screen top will aid in providing proper humidity levels. Moroccan Green Toads handle short periods of low humidity much better than most tropical toads.

Size: Adult Moroccan green toads are moderate in size, and there is sometimes a size difference between males and females. An adult male may reach 2 inches. A large female will be larger and bulkier than a male, and may measure up to 2.5 inches. 

All of the Moroccan green toadlets sold by Josh’s Frogs are well-started juveniles, and measure about 3/4 of an inch long. When they come out of the water they are typically just under 1/4 inch long, but can be larger.

Age: There is not any good data surrounding the average lifespan of Moroccan green toads, but wild-caught animals have lived in captivity for 5 or more years. Due to the size and maturation rate likely being at least 1 year, Moroccan toads can likely live in captivity for over 7 years. 

All Moroccan green toads for sale at Josh's Frogs are well-started juveniles, and are 2-3 months old.

Feeding: Moroccan green toads like to burrow, and oftentimes spend a lot of time underground during the day under hides or cork flats/tubes and tend to be more active at night. You should plan your feeding times accordingly. Moroccan green toads can eat 1/2 to 3/4 inch crickets as adults. Young Moroccan green toads start life feeding on springtails or pinhead crickets. 

At the size Josh’s Frogs sells captive-bred Moroccan green toads, they are eating 1/8 to 1/4 inch crickets. All prey items should be dusted with a quality vitamin/mineral supplement.

Sexing: Sexing adult Moroccan green toads is quite easy when you know how to do it. Once the toads are about 10-12 months old, they display subtle sexual dimorphism. Females are a bit larger than males, and more rotund. Males are a bit smaller, more slender, and emit a release call when grabbed around the belly. Males will also have a dark nuptial pad and robust forearms to facilitate in amplexus. Females tend to be more red than males but this exists on a spectrum and is not a completely reliable indicator of sex. 

Color/Pattern: This species can vary widely across its natural range. All toads have green or olive splotches across their backs. Their base coloration can range from pinkish brown to green to creamy. Their undersides are a white coloration.

Josh's Frogs does not recommend, support, or endorse line breeding as we believe this leads to weaker captive animals and nature has done a wonderful job of creating an amazing variation in color and pattern of frogs already.

Social Behavior: These toads are not outwardly aggressive towards each other, and do great housed in groups. During breeding, males can and will amplex without discretion and sometimes even end up with multiple males amplexing a single female. As long as the individuals are able to keep their heads above water, this behavior is not harmful, but for this reason a male to female ratio of 2-3:1 is recommended for breeding.

Breeding: Males will typically call from the water and amplex receptive females. In the wild their breeding season can range from January to June and again from September to November.

Josh's Frogs recommends purchasing multiple frogs if you are interested in breeding them – this greatly increases the chances of getting a pair (male and female).

Natural Range: Algeria, Morocco, Western Sahara

History in the Hobby: Moroccan green toads are a typically uncommon species to find in the hobby.

Links of Interest: 

• Moroccan Green Toads on Wikipedia
• Amphibiaweb

Still not sure if Moroccan Green Toads from Josh's Frogs are the right pet frog for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!