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Huttriver of New Zealand > Intel > Florida's Giant Toad - beneficial garden critter or exotic pest...

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Florida's Giant Toad - beneficial garden critter or exotic pest...

By Peter Petterson of huttriver, kiwi riverman and other blogs

The Giant Toad(aka marine toad or Cane Toad)is reportedly the largest of the Florida frogs and toads. When this non-native species feels threatened, it secretes a highly toxic substance from its large paratoid glands in the back of its head. This secretion will burn eyes, may inflame the skin and can kill cats and dogs if they ingest it.

It was originally released in canefields to help control rats and mice and is now commonly found in Florida yards. It breeds all year round in standing water, streams, canals and ditches.

It is known scientifically as Bufo Marinus, the Cane Toad, Giant Toad or Marine Toad and is native to an area extending from Mexico and central America to the Amazon basin.

Florida'sfirst Giant Toad population was accidently established by a release at Miami International Airport. Others spread by a pet dealer escaped through canals to other areas.

This Giant Toad is related to the Australian Cane Toad which was also spread after being released in cane fields in Queensland in the 1930's. They are now in epidemic proportions in that state and are spreading northwards and westwards endangering small native animal life.

They too are regarded a pest on a par with wild rabbits which have created an environmental wasteland in some areas of Australia.


Contributor's Note

Will become as widespread as their Australian cousins in a few decades.

External Links

Beneficial garden critter or exotic pest... | Cane Toad invasion of Australia

Images

Giant Toads
Giant Toads

Contributed by Huttriver of New Zealand on January 15, 2009, at 6:18 PM UTC.

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Vegetable Oil liked this intel. Apr 7, 2012

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This intel was contributed by Huttriver of New Zealand


Huttriver of New Zealand

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