Page 58 - World of Animals - Issue #33

Alien invasion

The out-of-control pest

Toxic to animals and humans, the cane toad is more than just a pest
In an attempt to curb fire ant numbers, American the roots of sugar cane crops. In the process, Australia

researchers are pondering whether to introduce its ended up with an even bigger pest on their hands.
natural enemies from South America. Before they do Like most invasive species, cane toads multiply Native range
Central and South America
that, they would do well to consider the precautionary rapidly and there are no predators to keep their Introduced range
tale of the cane toad. This highly toxic toad was population in check. Their numbers are now so high Australia
introduced to Australia in the 1930s to control the that for some commuters, running over dozens of cane Method of invasion
Introduced for pest control
numbers of local grub beetles, whose larvae destroy toads is just part of the daily grind.
BELOW To fulfi l their
insatiable appetite,
cane toads don’t just
stop at beetles, eating
anything small enough
to be swallowed

The toad menace
They kill local wildlife...
Native carnivores such as crocodiles and
goannas haven’t evolved any resistance to the
toad’s toxins, so they are poisoned when they
attempt to make a snack of the intruder.
...and pets
Some pet dogs in the region have become
addicted to licking the toad’s skin, which
causes a trippy, LSD-like sensation. Sadly,
overdoses are commonplace.
They’re evolving
Research suggests Australia’s cane toads are
evolving longer legs in response to their new “Like most invasive species,
habitat, allowing them to travel further and
faster across the outback. cane toads multiply rapidly

A final insult
There is no evidence that cane toads have done and there are no predators to
anything to help with the grub beetle problem.
They are lazy hunters and prefer to wait under keep their population in check”
streetlights and lap up dead insects.
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