The Cane Toad
By Lily Simpson
Where the Cane Toad from...
Effects on Ecosystem...
The invasion of cane toads in Australia kills many large predators, when they try to eat large, toxic toads.
The decrease in numbers of predators benefits many smaller species, which increase in numbers after cane toads arrive in an area.
Distribution of Cane toads in Australia (2008)
Cane Toad Control Strategies
They seem to be attracted to lights (or the insects that come to the lights) and so can be trapped in significant numbers in the right conditions.
The fundamental principle is this: to reduce the numbers of cane toads in an area, you have to be able to remove animals faster than they can replace the numbers you are removing.
Adaptations
What you can do to control the pests humanely
• Take pets away from the vicinity and make sure children are supervised.
• Wear rubber or gardening gloves and safety glasses. • Carefully pick up the cane toad by the back legs and put it in a plastic bag or container with air holes and a small amount of water.
• Transport the suspected cane toad, alive, to one of the drop-off points where it will be identified and humanely euthanized.
• Sterilise your hands and other items that have come in contact with the toad with antiseptic wash.