Cane Toad
by Terri Mills
Title
Cane Toad
Artist
Terri Mills
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Photo of a Cane Toad I shot at 9:00 p.m. on June 16th, 2010 on the sidewalk in front of our house. Copyright Terri Mills All Rights Reserved
Description taken from: http://www.iguanainvasion.com/other_exotics.html
Giant Toads
When insects were devastating the sugarcane fields of Florida during the 1930s, the state imported bug-eating toads. More toads were brought in during the 1940s and again in the 1950s. Pet stores sold them to children.
Now called the Giant Toad or Cane Toad, this huge amphibian is native to South America, Central America, and southernmost Texas along the Mexican border. The largest toad in the world, Cane Toads are typically six to nine inches in length. These toads are carnivores and will eat baby birds, small lizards and snakes. They prey on smaller toads and frogs. They like dog and cat food, and will forage in garbage cans for table scraps.
Like all toads, the Cane Toad has glands that secrete toxins for use in attacking prey and foe. The Cane Toad�s toxin is powerful and can prove fatal to dogs and other small animals.
These toads have spread to 20 counties, where they outcompete native frogs and toads for food and territory. They are prolific breeders and the population is wildly out of control. In South Florida, veterinarians treat dogs with Cane Toad poisoning on a regular basis.
To keep these huge toads away from your pets, make sure you keep them out of your yard. When you erect a fence, be sure to embed it deep in the lawn. Never feed pets outside or leave food in the yard.
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June 16th, 2010
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