Cane Beetles eat the leaves off of the cane plant, and cause further damage by laying their larve in the roots of the plant
They often smell like rotten pork
The toads started out with a population of roughly 100 toads in 1935
The population has decoupled as of 2010
Starting out in Northeastern Australia, they have now spread to Western Australia as well
Many predatory species are suffering large numbers lost to their tenancy to consume the toads
The toads produce a toxic substance using special glands on their neck which covers their backs in a poison
The poison is a powerful hallucinogen when consumed in small doses, but is highly lethal in larger quantities
Death by Cane Toad isn't limited to predators in the outback - Humans have died too
Studies have shown that animal population in areas where the Cane Toads have invaded, decline
The Cane Toad has no natural predators which leaves them free to over-populate at alarming rates
Introduced in 1935 from Hawaii to control the Cane Beetles
Started in Northeast coastal Australia, but have quickly spread out of control
Population growth has nearly doubled in the past 30 years
The toads have no natural predators due to the toxins on their backs
Oh dear...
So What Can We Do?
Cane Toads
an invasive species
There is quite a lot of controversy over this issue, since the easiest methods aren't humane or as effective as they could be
Trapping and manual euthanization of the toads is labor intensive, and not very effective since other species are caught as well
Chemical warfare against the toads would be dangerous since scientist's don't have a good enough idea of the effect on other species
Genetically altering the toads so they are only able to produce male offspring would be labor intensive and costly
Introducing a new species is out of the question (Just look what happened last time...)
Thank you~
Are We Doomed?
Not quite yet since some native species are beginning to adjust
The Black Kite has learned to flip the toads over to expose their toxin-free under-bellies, and can now successfully eat them
Dhal's Aquatic Frogs are able to chow down on Cane Toad tadpoles without any ill-effects
Meat Ants have no problem swarming and slaughtering the toads, and the toads don't expect to be eaten because they aren't used to being hunted because of their poisons
Some Ibis's have been seen to consume small Cane Toads without getting sick
Saw-Shelled turtles have been fairly effective in becoming predators of the pests