Kumquat

Kumquat; or aka Problem Child; was one of my pet toads that had her own unique identity that i could never forget. She was a southern toad that i bought in a pet store along with Andy and Peach, also southern toads. Toads usually have this rough bumpy dry skin but Kumquat was born with a very rare genetic disease called Skin Wearing disease. When amphibians shed their skin they will secrete this liquid to moisten the skin and then they will use these "claws" on their feet to pull the skin off their bodies and pull it into their mouths. Yes they eat it and i know its very disgusting but this is how they receive some of their needed nutrients. They shall do this at least once every two weeks. Kumquat, on the other hand, did shed just like any amphibian but some of the skin will dry out to fast before she could peel it off and leave it feeling waxy. As she got older her whole body felt like the touch of a candle on it smooth sides, and it was shiny too. The skin wearing disease is only genetic, not contagious so it was safe for her to live in the same tank with her other companions.



As to how Kumquat got her name and nickname is an interesting story. "Kumquat" came from a Hawaiian Christmas song called Mele Kaleki Maka (don't trust if that is spelled right) my mother loves which mentions kumquats. The nickname Problem Child came from what we believe is the possibility of her mental disorder. I'm still unsure if the disease has anything to do with it or if she just has an odd eating appetite. Many times i have caught her trying to snap her tongue at her own foot and once i found her dangling off the end of my lace string on my sweatpants. This isn't normal feeding behavior in toads.



Komquat died last year on September 2009. Its hard to say what killed her but i believe it to be from old age. Its definate that she lived a full toad life span after living fours years with me and she had to atleast be two when i got her. She never endured any suffering when she passed away.