Page 92 - World of Animals - Deadly Predators

15

Amazing

facts

Meet the

notorious

cane

toad 4. What animals predate © Thinkstock

cane toads?
In their native ranges
cane toads are eaten
by numerous predators,
These deadly amphibians including caimans, snakes,
are on a seemingly CANE TOAD eels, catfish and bullet ants.
All of these animals have
Rhinella marina
unstoppable mission to take Lifespan 10-15 years poison. Where the cane
immunity to the toad’s
Adult weight 2kg (4.4Ibs)
Conservation status
over Australia and beyond toad has been introduced,
however, most predators
LEAST CONCERN are killed by the toxins, and
Words Sarah Spinney this can have disastrous
consequences for the
ecosystem.

1. What makes them such an 2. Why are they dangerous? 5. Where are cane
toads found?
effective invasive species? The cane toad has large parotoid glands behind the Cane toads are native to
In its native range across South and Central America, eyes as well as other smaller glands across its back. If South and Central America.
the cane toad fits well into the ecosystem: it eats just the toad is threatened, these glands will secrete a milky However, they are now
the right amount of prey and is eaten by just the right white fluid called bufotoxin, which is a deadly poison to found far more extensively
amount of predators. Where it has been introduced most animals. Dogs are particularly vulnerable as they in areas outside of this
outside of its native range, however, no predators often lick or eat toads that thrive in domestic gardens. range, including various
are able to eat the poisonous toads. Combined In small amounts, bufotoxin can cause hallucinations in islands throughout the
with the fact that it is a prolific breeder (females lay humans. Some people even seek out toads to lick in order Caribbean and Oceania.
spawns of up to 25,000 eggs) and that it is also an to experience this effect! If larger amounts are ingested, Their most notable invasion
opportunistic feeder, this has caused the number of however, it disturbs the normal function of the heart and is in Northern Australia:
cane toads to spiral out of control. can be fatal. since 1935, their numbers
have increased from 3,000
to approximately 1.5 billion!
3. What do cane toads eat? Cane toads have an insatiable appetite 6. Are the tadpoles
also dangerous?
and will eat almost anything, including other toads. Their favourite Yes, the tadpoles of cane
prey includes beetles, honeybees, ants, termites and crickets. toads are also toxic to
They are also known to eat small rodents, other amphibians, birds, many animals, particularly
outside of their native
reptiles and even bats. Cane toads have adapted to thrive in urban range. The tadpoles

environments and will eat many types of garden plant, dog food transform into froglets after
four to eight weeks. This
and household waste. The toads hunt alone and usually at night. is the only stage of their
life cycle where they are
They primarily use vision to detect their prey, but they will also not toxic and can be safely
locate food using their excellent sense of smell. consumed by any animal.

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