Cane toads are well known for posing a threat to our pets. They are one of many invasive animal species we have here in Florida. In this episode you will learn all about this invasive toad species, how it became established in Florida, impacts of its presence, and ways you can help.
In this episode, we explore the history of how cane toads made their way to Florida, some interesting facts about their biology, including how to protect your pet from cane toad poisoning, and how to manage their populations in your neighborhoods.
We hope this brief introduction to cane toads will help you feel more informed and prepared for the prescience of cane toads in Florida. With your help, we have a much better chance of reducing their populations and protecting our native species and pets from this large invasive toad species.
New Episode from Naturally Florida
Naturally Florida (a podcast about Florida’s natural areas and the wild things that live here) recently released a new episode about coyotes in Florida.
Check it out, below on Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform.
If you enjoyed this episode about invasive species vocabulary, please consider sharing it with a friend.
You can find all the podcast platforms where Naturally Florida is published, submit feedback, or request future topics at www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com
Learn more:
- Florida’s Frogs & Toads – Cane Toad – https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/canetoad.shtml (includes videos on identification, action steps if a pet is poisoned by a cane toad, and how to humanely euthanize them)
- Cane Toad or “Bufo” Toad (Rhinella marina) in Florida – https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW432
- Southern Toad or Cane Toad – a compare/contrast video – https://youtu.be/7jTDEVEolu8
- What to do if a pet encounters a cane toad (video) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1HUuxM7Zc
How You Can Help:
- Share what you learned with a friend!
- Report invasive cane toads outside of current range See Figure 1 from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW432 and report any sightings outside of the green area – email Dr. Johnson (tadpole AT ufl.edu) with location information for the cane toad sighting and at least two focused pictures, one showing the top of the head and another of the shoulder area.
- Humanely euthanize invasive cane toads – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCZlSVbOkWU
Sources for this Episode:
- Cane Toad or “Bufo” Toad (Rhinella marina) in Florida – https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW432
- Florida Wildlife Extension – Marine Toad – https://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/frogstoads/rhinella_marina.php
- Department of Wildlife & Ecology – UF Wildlife – Johnson Lab – https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/canetoad.shtml
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/amphibians/cane-toad/
Learn about other episodes from Naturally Florida by Clicking Here.
University of Florida IFAS Extension is committed to diversity of people, thought and opinion, to inclusiveness and to equal opportunity.
UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.
Posted: June 7, 2022
Source: UF/IFAS Alert – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/
