The Cane Toad
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BOULLENGER Simon
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ane
toad
Summary
Description
Distribution around the world
Diet
Defences and toxicity
predators
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Description
Very large : 10-15 cm of average length (up to 38 cm)
Life expectancy : 10 to 15 years in the wild but longer in captivity
Color : grey, yellowish, red-brown or olive-brown
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Veno
mou
s an
imal
s : C
ane
toad
Distribution around the world
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Veno
mou
s an
imal
s : C
ane
toad
It has been introduced in many parts of the world for the biological control of agricultural pests
Diet
Identify his prey thanks to his vision but also using his sense of smell.
Normal preys : rodents, reptiles, amphibians birds and a range of invertebrates.
They are used to swallow their preys. They can eat also : plants, dog food or household refuse.
the range of things it can eat is very wide : allowing him to reproduce and expand easily 5
Veno
mou
s an
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s : C
ane
toad
Defences and toxicity
When he feels threatened, the cane toad squirt white poison on
his back thanks to his paratoid glands on each shoulder.
Venom composed by 14 differents chemicals, in particular Bufotenin
Said to be produced thanks to bacterias it has in its body
Bufotenin is listed in the Class 1 drug under Australian law : it causes hallucinations.
Can cause rapid heartbeat, excessive salivation, convulsions and paralysis.
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Veno
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ane
toad
Predators
No known real predator in Australia with the exception of snakes.
But others animals are known to eat cane toads but they have died because of his toxic venom : freshwater crocodiles, dingos or tiger snakes… even dogs
But some predators can put the toad on his back to make it become harmless.
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Veno
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ane
toad
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Thanks for your attention
And watch out for cane toads