Cane toad

The Cane Toad (Rhinella marina), also known as the Giant Neotropical Toad or Marine Toad, is a large, terrestrial true toad native to Central and South America. It has been introduced to various regions, including Australia, where it is considered an invasive species.

Description

Cane toads are robust amphibians with a dry, warty skin. They can grow up to 15 cm (6 inches) in length, with females generally larger than males. Their coloration varies from grey to olive-brown, with a lighter underbelly. Cane toads have large parotoid glands behind their eyes, which secrete a potent toxin.

Habitat and Distribution

Cane toads are highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of environments, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas. They are native to Central and South America but have been introduced to other regions such as the Caribbean, the Philippines, and Australia.

Ecological Impact

In regions where they have been introduced, cane toads have had significant ecological impacts. In Australia, they were introduced in 1935 to control agricultural pests but have since become a major pest themselves. They compete with native species for food and habitat and their toxins can be lethal to predators that attempt to eat them.

Toxicity

Cane toads produce a toxin called bufotoxin, which is secreted from their parotoid glands. This toxin can cause serious harm or death to animals that ingest it. The toxin affects the heart and can cause convulsions, paralysis, and death.

Reproduction

Cane toads breed in a variety of water bodies, from ponds to ditches. Females lay thousands of eggs in long strings, which hatch into tadpoles within a few days. The tadpoles undergo metamorphosis into juvenile toads over several weeks.

Control and Management

Efforts to control cane toad populations include physical removal, habitat modification, and research into biological control methods. Public awareness campaigns also aim to reduce the spread of cane toads by educating people about their impact and how to manage them.

Also see

• Invasive species
• Bufonidae
• Amphibian conservation
• Toxin

References

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