The First Captive Breeding of the Eichwald’s Toad ( Bufo eichwaldi )

For the first time, we are presented data about breeding of the Eichwald's toad (Bufo eichwaldi) in laboratory conditions. Summer keeping was performed at a temperature of 16 - 26 degrees C and 16-h photoperiod. Hibernation was performed for 56 days at a temperature of 6 - 8 degrees C. For reproduction, two pairs were selected, each was placed in a tank (0.5 m(3)) with a water level of 45 cm and a temperature of 18 degrees C. For hormonal stimulation, we used surfagon. Length of spawned egg-strings was 965 and 2182 cm, and fecundity of females was 983 and 5474 eggs, respectively. The duration of embryogenesis was up to 14 days, and the whole cycle from spawning to metamorphosis was 42 - 60 days. Body length of juveniles after metamorphosis was 13.0 - 16.1 mm (average 14.9).