May 17, 2022

Toads as Big as Your Head! Cane Toads in Florida

20 minutes

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.

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 ([email protected]) 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/

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations

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By Shannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan

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