Cane Toad

Native to the broader Caribbean region between southern Florida and northern South America, but purposely introduced into Australia and other regions, cane toads have provided a pointed [Page 200]illustration of the dangers of introducing species to a new environment, even for very well-intentioned reasons. Large toads with almost omnivorous appetites, cane toads breed prolifically and have proven adaptable to a fairly broad range of environments from coastal mangrove swamps to rainforests, from grasslands to marginal woodlands, and from agricultural areas to urban lots. On its shoulders, the cane toad has pronounced parotoid glands, from which it releases a very toxic poison. Although some predators such as keelback snakes, wolf spiders, freshwater crayfish, saltwater crocodiles, crows, several other types of birds, and several types of rats ...