Knowra Cane toad Cane toad The cane toad is a large, poisonous amphibian native to Central and South America. Introduced widely to control agricultural pests, it became invasive in Australia and other regions.
Bufotoxin : A group of toxic compounds produced in the skin and parotoid glands of toads. Cane toad secretions contain bufotoxins that poison predators and can harm people and pets.
Rhinella marina : The scientific name of the cane toad, a large neotropical amphibian. This name identifies the species whose natural history and invasions are traced here.
Invasive species : A species introduced beyond its native range that establishes and causes ecological, economic, or social harm. Cane toads are a prominent example of an introduced species that spread and cause ecological damage.
Cane toad in Australia : The introduced Australian population of cane toads, established after releases in Queensland in 1935. This invasion is the best-known case of the species’ ecological impact.
Parotoid gland : A large skin gland behind the eye that secretes defensive substances in some amphibians. These glands are the conspicuous source of much of the cane toad’s defensive toxin.
Central America : The isthmus connecting North and South America, with a tropical climate and diverse ecosystems. Cane toads are native across parts of this region as well as northern South America.
Australia : A country and continent whose ecosystems include many endemic plants and animals. The Australian invasion made cane toads a major conservation and public concern.
Cane toad in Florida : An introduced cane toad population in Florida, established through pet releases and other human activities. Florida shows how the species also establishes outside its native range in the United States.
Amplexus : The mating embrace in which a male amphibian clasps a female, often stimulating egg release. Cane toads reproduce through amplexus, followed by females laying long strings of eggs.
South America : A continent extending from the Caribbean to Cape Horn, containing tropical, temperate, and polar environments. The cane toad’s native range includes much of northern South America.
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