Cane Toads
Bufo marinus
DistributionNative Distribution Map
Although many might think that the Cane Toad is only found in Australia, the Cane Toad is native to South America and Central America. Cane Toads can live in many different types of climates and environments, from dry to tropical. Originally, Cane Toads were used to wipe out pests in sugar cane, hence the name, but soon became pests themselves.
LifeLike most Amphibians, Cane Toads start off as eggs that a female Cane Toad has produced, as well as up to 24,999 other eggs. The amount of time it takes before the black eggs hatch all depends on the weather and the temperatures. Although, Cane Toads will usually hatch 2 days after they are produced as eggs. Tadpoles are tiny, darkly coloured and have small tails. It can take almost 2 months before the tadpoles develop into toadlets, which can grow up to be 11mm long in only a short amount of time, as toadlets are fast growers. The fast-growing ability helps toadlets, as they no longer have the high amount of deadly poison in them that they had when they were little eggs and when they were tadpoles. The poison comes back when toadlets become mature adults with poisonous glands behind their eyes. After an accurate survey, it was found that approximately only 0.5% of Cane Toadlets will develop into mature adults. But the toads that do become mature adults will start breeding in warm temperatures in subtropical areas. In the wild, Cane Toads can live for up to 15 years, sometimes even longer while kept as a pet or in a zoo. Apparently, the oldest Cane Toad lived for 35 years!
Below is a video of a Cane Toad Calling, just to give you an idea of what they would sound like at night time. Bibliography |
DescriptionCane Toad
The Cane Toad is apart of a rather large species of toads called true toads. Cane Toads are big, bulky frogs that can grow up to 10-15cm! Females tend to be more elongated than males, notably. Cane Toads have moistureless skin that is covered in big, ugly warts. Cane Toads are not the fanciest toad species, and are usually either a tan , grey or brown colour, particularly olive-brown. Nonetheless, Cane Toads can have a bit of a red of yellow tinge, and the markings on their backs are always one-of-a-kind. Cane Toads have skin-like webbing at the start of their feet, but their toes have no webbing. Juvenile Cane Toads are known to be much smaller than the Adult Cane Toads that can grow up to 10cm length. As a general rule, Juvenile Cane Toads will have much softer and gloomier skin and are less poisonous than Adults, as Juveniles will not have developed special glands to make them as poisonous as full-grown Cane Toads. Cane Toad tadpoles are extremely small growing up to 25mm in length at the most. Usually, they are black and have a knack for forming schools.
DietCane Toads sense their prey by sight, smell and feel of movement on the ground. Cane Toads eat many different types of animals such as insects, rodents, reptiles and birds, as a normal diet. Around houses or when being kept as a pet, Cane Toads might also snack on dog food, plants and other such things.
Threats and DangersThe Cane Toad has many predators that love the taste of a big, fat Cane Toad once in a while. Animals such as caimans, snakes, large fish, some species of rodents, reptiles and hungry birds feast on Cane Toads with enjoyment. In suburban areas, Cane Toads are in danger of being run over by cars, being killed by humans because of fright or shock, etc..
DefencesAs Cane Toads grow into adults, they develop a poisonous toxin called bufotoxin, which is a milky-looking liquid that their glands release when in danger or threatened. This bufotoxin is highly dangerous to animals, and can sometimes even kill humans. When in danger of being eaten, Cane Toads will use their ability to blow up their lungs, which makes them look stronger and tougher.
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