PESTSMART, Fact Sheet - Cane toad
The cane toad is native to Central and South America and is a member of the ‘true toads’ (family Bufonidae)1. Cane toads have dry, yellow-brown, warty skin and large distinctive lumps (known as parotoid glands) behind the head. Cane toads naturally generate potent toxins (bufodienolides) throughout their bodies, which act by stopping the heart of most animals that attempt to eat them. These toxins may be exuded as a milky-white substance if the toad is aggravated or distressed.
Cane toads are listed as a ‘key threatening process’ under Australia’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. They adversely impact native species via predation, competition and poisoning by lethal toxin ingestion.
This 2 page publication covers biology, habitat, reproduction, etc., as well as economic and ecological impacts.
Free to download:
- Pestsmart Factsheet - Cane Toad (248.30 KB)