Toads

Rhinella marina The cane toad is Australia’s only toad and it was introduced into Queensland in 1935 in an attempt to control the cane beetle, which is a serious pest in the sugar cane industry. The cane toad was introduced from Hawaii where it was previously introduced for the same reasons from its native central America. The cane toad is native to north, south and central America.

The cane toad has venom glands behind its ears which have protected it from many predators in the past, in fact some natural frog or toad predators have become extinct in areas where the cane toad has established itself. Some species have leant to turn the toad over before devouring it, such as the Torresian Crow, the Australian White Ibis, and the Water Rat. Additionally species such as the Estuarine Crocodile and the Snapping Turtle can eat the toad without any adverse effects.