Cane Toad
Cane toads in Australia
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The cane toad (Bufo marinus) is an invasive species in Australia. The cane toad is the largest species in the family Bufonidae. Adult cane toads are usually heavy-built and weigh an average of up to 1.8 kg. (4 lbs.). Their size may vary from 15–23 cm.(4-9 in.) and their skin is warty. The coloration on their back and sides may vary from olive-brown or reddish-brown, gray, and yellow while their bellies are semi-yellow or semi-white with darker mottling. Their body is round and flat, has prominent corneal crests, and light middorsal stripes. Their front feet are unwebbed, but their back feet have tough, leathery webbing. Cane toads have short legs and a ridged bony head that extends forward from their eyes to their nose. Behind their ears lie the parotid glands, which usually causes their head to appear swollen. These glands are used for defense against predators. The parotid gland produces milky toxic secretion or poison that is dangerous to many species.[1] This venom primarily affects the functioning of the heart. Envenomation is painful, but is usually not fatal for humans.[2] However, it does have some effects, such as burning of the eyes and hands, and skin irritation.[1]
An adult cane toad (Bufo marinus).
Contents
1 Invasive species 2 Introduction and spread 3 Ecological effects 3.1 Predator effects 3.2 Methods to control invasion 4 In popular culture 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External links
Invasive species
The cane toad in Australia is regarded as an exemplary case of a "feral species"—others being rabbits, foxes, cats, and Giant Mimosa. Australia 's relative isolation prior to European colonisation and the industrial revolution—both of which dramatically increased traffic and importation of novel species—allowed development of a complex, interdepending system of ecology, but one
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
The cane toad (Bufo marinus) is an invasive species in Australia. The cane toad is the largest species in the family Bufonidae. Adult cane toads are usually heavy-built and weigh an average of up to 1.8 kg. (4 lbs.). Their size may vary from 15–23 cm.(4-9 in.) and their skin is warty. The coloration on their back and sides may vary from olive-brown or reddish-brown, gray, and yellow while their bellies are semi-yellow or semi-white with darker mottling. Their body is round and flat, has prominent corneal crests, and light middorsal stripes. Their front feet are unwebbed, but their back feet have tough, leathery webbing. Cane toads have short legs and a ridged bony head that extends forward from their eyes to their nose. Behind their ears lie the parotid glands, which usually causes their head to appear swollen. These glands are used for defense against predators. The parotid gland produces milky toxic secretion or poison that is dangerous to many species.[1] This venom primarily affects the functioning of the heart. Envenomation is painful, but is usually not fatal for humans.[2] However, it does have some effects, such as burning of the eyes and hands, and skin irritation.[1]
An adult cane toad (Bufo marinus).
Contents
1 Invasive species 2 Introduction and spread 3 Ecological effects 3.1 Predator effects 3.2 Methods to control invasion 4 In popular culture 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External links
Invasive species
The cane toad in Australia is regarded as an exemplary case of a "feral species"—others being rabbits, foxes, cats, and Giant Mimosa. Australia 's relative isolation prior to European colonisation and the industrial revolution—both of which dramatically increased traffic and importation of novel species—allowed development of a complex, interdepending system of ecology, but one
References: ^ Henry Fountain (16 October 2007). "Arthritis Fails to Slow Invading Toads in Australian Fields". NY Times. Retrieved 2007-10-27. ^ Tyler, M. J. (1994). Australian Frogs A Natural History. Reed Books. p. 112. ISBN 0-7301-0468-0. ^ Mayes, P.J.; Thompson, G. G. and Withers P.C. (2005). "Diet and foraging behaviour of the semi-aquatic Varanus mertensi (Reptilia: Varanidae)" (PDF). Wildlife Research 32: 67–74. doi:10.1071/WR04040. ^ Mitchell, D.; Jones, A. Hero, J.-M. (1995). "Predation on the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) by the black kite (Milvus migrans)". Memoirs - Wueensland Museum 38: 512–531. ^ Phillips, Ben L.; and Shine, Richard (December 2004). "Adapting to an invasive species: Toxic cane toads induce morphological change in Australian snakes". PNAS 101 (49): 17150–17155. doi:10.1073/pnas.0406440101. PMC 535375. PMID 15569943. ^ Sweeney, Claire (31 March 2009). "Killer ants are weapons of mass toad destruction". The Times (London). Retrieved 2009-03-31. ^ Katrina Bolton (2007-09-15). "Toads fall victim to crows in NT - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". Abc.net.au. Retrieved 2011-11-12. ^ Sarah Zielinski (15 June 2012). "The Reluctant Toad Killer". Science 336: 1375. ^ http://kb.rspca.org.au/What-is-the-most-humane-way-to-kill-a-cane-toad_299.html ^ Narelle Towie (23 May 2009) ^ Squires, Nick (8 June 2007). "Cane Toad Golf Out of Bounds". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 2009-07-20. ^ Mirkin, David (2005). The Simpsons season 6 DVD commentary for the episode "Bart vs. Australia" (DVD). 20th Century Fox. Barker, J.; Grigg, G.C.; Tyler, M.J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons. ISBN 0-949324-61-2. Lawson, Walter J. (1987). The Cane Toad, Bufo marinus: A Bibliography (AES working paper). School of Australian Environmental Studies, Griffith University. ISBN 0-86857-247-0.