kanetoad

The cane toad Rhinella marina, often called the cane toad, is a large, terrestrial toad native to South and mainland Central America. It has been introduced to various regions worldwide as a pest, primarily for biological pest control. These toads are opportunistic omnivores and will eat almost anything, including insects, snails, small reptiles, birds, and mammals. They are nocturnal and breed in freshwater.

Female cane toads can lay thousands of eggs at a time in long, gelatinous strings. The tadpoles are dark and small, and they develop rapidly in water. Cane toads possess large parotoid glands behind their eyes, which secrete a potent toxin called bufotoxin. This toxin can be lethal to many predators, including domestic pets, if ingested or if the toad is chewed.

Due to their voracious appetite and prolific breeding, cane toads have become a significant invasive species in many parts of the world, particularly Australia, where they have had devastating impacts on native wildlife and ecosystems. Their presence can lead to declines in populations of native predators that are poisoned by attempting to eat them. Efforts to control cane toad populations are ongoing in affected regions, often involving community-based removal programs and research into biological control methods.