Tulsa Zoo Celebrates Milestone with 200+ Asian Giant Toad Hatchlings

First successful U.S. reproduction of the species without human hormones.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Tulsa Zoo announced the successful hatching of over 200 Asian giant toad hatchlings, marking a significant milestone in amphibian research and conservation. Zoo officials say this is the first documented case of Asian giant toads reproducing in North American human care without the use of human growth hormones.

Why it matters

The successful breeding of the Asian giant toads at the Tulsa Zoo highlights the expertise of their animal care team and represents a major step forward in efforts to study and conserve this amphibian species. The achievement could lead to advancements in amphibian husbandry and breeding techniques that can benefit other endangered toad and frog populations.

The details

The newly hatched toads are currently just a few centimeters long but are expected to grow to between five and eight inches as adults. Their parents are on exhibit inside the zoo's Life in the Water building. The hatchlings join the list of the zoo's newest arrivals, including an African penguin chick announced last week.

  • The Tulsa Zoo announced the milestone on February 18, 2026.

The players

Tulsa Zoo

A zoo located in Tulsa, Oklahoma that focuses on amphibian research and conservation.

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What’s next

The zoo plans to closely monitor the development of the Asian giant toad hatchlings and share their findings with the scientific community to further the understanding and conservation of this species.

The takeaway

The Tulsa Zoo's successful breeding of Asian giant toads without the use of human hormones represents a significant breakthrough in amphibian research and conservation, showcasing the expertise of their animal care team and the potential for advancements in protecting endangered toad and frog populations.