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Bufo marinus
Habitat: The Marine Toad or Cane Toad is a tropical species that prefers forested areas with semi-permanent water nearby
Diet: Bufo marinus forages primarily nocturnally in mature forests and roadways. It feeds on ants, beetles, and earwigs in southern Florida, but has been found with dragonflies, grasshoppers, true bugs, crustaceans, gastropods, plant matter and even dog and cat food.
Behavior: The cane toad sits in an upright position. When it moves, it hops in short fast hops. During cold or dry seasons it will remain inactive in shallow excavations beneath ground cover. When confronted by a predator, it is able to secrete a toxin from glands on the back in the form of white viscous fluid. This toxic fluid is largely comprised of cardio-active substances. If a predator ingests these toxins, or they contact mucous membranes, they may cause profuse salivation, twitching, vomiting; shallow breathing and collapse of the hind limbs. This toxin can cause temporary paralysis or even death in some predators, including dogs.
Physical Description: Bufo marinus has a grey olive brown dorsal skin with many warts ending in dark brown caps. The ventral skin tends to be a whitish yellow with dark brown speckles. Cane toads can reach a maximum length of 238 millimeters, although generally is approximately 150 to 175 millimeters.
Reproduction: Males congregate in temporary or permanent still or slow moving water and call for mates. More than one male may fertilize the eggs of a single female, and particularly successful males may fertilize the eggs of multiple females in a breeding season. Bufo marinus is able to reproduce nearly year round. Eggs are laid in long jelly-like strings on rocks, debris, or emergent vegetation; in excess of 30,000 eggs at a time. The eggs hatch in 2 to 7 days.
Status: Common
Fun Facts:
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This toad is considered the most widely-introduced amphibian species in the world. |
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People have tried to use it to control insects such as the greybacked cane beetle which threatened sugar cane production. However, there is no evidence that it has controlled any pest in Australia and it is now considered a pest species itself in its introduced range of Australia and on Pacific and Caribbean Islands. |
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It preys on and outcompetes native amphibians and also causes predator declines, since these predators have no natural immunity to the toxin it secretes. |
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