kimberley frog finder

Cane Toad

Bufo marinus

A very large species with diagnostic bony ridges around the eye and snout (not shared by any native frog). Head is wider than long, and the face is short. The paratoid glands are very large and prominent. The limbs are short; the fingers are unwebbed with basal webbing between the toes. The resting posture is more upright than in native species. The skin of males is coarse; that of females less so. Colour is yellow-brown; the ventral surfaces are white, with some blotching in males. Up to 24 cm.

Breeding

A summer breeder. Breeding occurs in shallow water bodies with little fringing vegetation and a shallow slope. All eggs, tadpoles and metamorphs are toxic.

Call

A long steady trill.

Eggs

Large females can lay clutches of 30,000 or more eggs.

Tadpoles

Tadpoles are small, jet black and form large schools. Metamorphosis is rapid (around four weeks) and metamorphs are tiny.

Other Notes

The Cane Toad was introduced to Queensland in 1935 to control native pests of cane crops. The toad had no effect and has steadily marched west and south.

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Distribution

Native to South and Central American. Introduced to many Caribbean and Pacific islands in the 1930s. In Australia from Port Macquarie in NSW, Queensland, northern NT and the eastern Kimberley.

Habitat

Occurs in most environments, but prefers open grasslands.