Hasselt's Toad (Leptobrachium hasseltii)

Common Name: Hasselt's Toad
Scientific Name: Leptobrachium hasseltii
Source: WC
Adult Size: 6–8cm
Native Range: Java, southern Sumatra, and Bali (Indonesia)

Enclosure: A minimum 60×45×45cm Viperia PVC vivarium, furnished with a deep layer of moist substrate such as coco fibre or bioactive soil mix, plenty of leaf litter for cover, cork bark hides, and live or artificial plants to maintain high humidity
Heating: Ambient temperature of 20–24°C during the day, with a gentle drop to around 18–20°C at night; avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures above 26°C
Humidity: 70–90%; achieved through daily misting, a moisture-retaining substrate, and good ventilation to prevent stagnant air
UVB: A 2.4% UVB tube positioned towards one side of the enclosure to provide low-level ambient UV — while primarily nocturnal (active mainly at night), a low-output lamp supports natural photoperiod and general wellbeing
Diet: Feeds on appropriately sized live invertebrates — crickets, dubia roaches, small locusts, waxworms, and similar feeder insects dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements; adults feed every 2–3 days, juveniles every 1–2 days

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Hasselt's Toad is a charming and somewhat unusual litter frog native to the humid rainforests of Java, Sumatra, and Bali, where it spends its time tucked among fallen leaves and forest floor debris. It is perhaps best known for its striking appearance — a rotund, earthy-brown body paired with vivid, jewel-like eyes that give it a wonderfully characterful look unlike most other amphibians available in the hobby.

This is a rewarding species for keepers who enjoy observing naturalistic behaviour rather than handling — Hasselt's Toads are best appreciated as a display animal in a well-planted, bioactive (living ecosystem) setup, where they will emerge confidently at dusk to hunt. They are best suited to intermediate keepers who are comfortable maintaining high humidity and sourcing a varied feeder insect diet.