Identifying cane toads

Did you know?: The cane toad has been nominated by the Invasive Species Specialist Group of the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders.

There are NO NATIVE TOADS IN AUSTRALIA. True toads (Bufonidae) occur naturally on all continents except Australia. However, some native Australian frogs have been given names such as Holy Cross Toad and Red-crowned Toadlet because of their similarity to toads (they have short legs, thickset bodies and move in short hops).
So how do we identify a cane toad? Adult cane toads are heavily built, with rough, extremely warty skin (especially on the back and legs) and are typically 10-15 cm long. They are heavily built and the skin on top is rough, dry and covered in warts. The colour can vary from grey, olive, yellow brown to red brown, but they are never brightly coloured. Their underparts are lighter in colour and are usually a mottled brown. Their heads are bony with a pointed snout and over their eyes are distinctive ridges which meet above the nose. Behind and slightly below each eye is a distinctive circular ear drum. On top of each shoulder is a large sack – this is the toxin-producing parotoid gland. Cane Toads have slightly webbed, leathery hind feet while the front feet have no webbing and are relatively small in size. Cane Toads have a particularly upright stance and they walk or move small distances in short, rapid hops, unlike many native species which leap. Male toads are smaller and have more warts than females. When it is the breeding season males will develop ‘nuptial pads’, which look like dark lumps, on their first two fingers. These assist the male with holding onto the female while mating.

Adult Cane Toads are both nocturnal and visual hunters. They need a lot of food to survive so they often congregate in open areas, such as on roads or lawns, where they can spot their next meal. They prefer places that are well lit, such as below street lamps or around houses, because this is where insects are attracted in the evenings. They are poor climbers and are unable to jump very high. Unlike some of our native species they cannot climb up smooth surfaces. Cane Toads are a terrestrial animal, however they do need daily access to water. This means the toad is most vulnerable during the dry season as they need to stay close to water as the environment begins to dry up.
The male Cane Toad has a distinctive call which has been described by some as sounding like a motor running, a high-pitched broken brrrrrr sound, similar to a telephone dial tone or a long loud purring trill.

Note the lack of webbing between the toes and the absence of suckers. Both characteristics of the native frog species.

Note the toxin glands, the ear between the glands and the eye and the’ bony’ ridge above the eye.

(Images and text adapted from http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/wildlife/animals/canetoads/identification.html, http://www.canetoads.com.au/Training%20and%20Safety%20Manual.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cane_toad)