Cane Toad
Rhinella marina
Summary 5
The cane toad (Rhinella marina), also known as the giant neotropical toad or marine toad, is a large, terrestrial true toad which is native to Central and South America, but has been introduced to various islands throughout Oceania and the Caribbean as well as northern Australia. It is a member of the genus Rhinella but was formerly in the genus Bufo, which includes many different true toad species found throughout Central and South America. The cane...
Diagnosis 6
The cane toad is very large;[1] the females are significantly longer than males,[2] reaching an average length of 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in),[1] with a maximum of 24 cm (9.4 in).[9] Larger toads tend to be found in areas of lower population density.[3] They have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years in the wild,[4] and can live considerably longer in captivity, with one specimen reportedly surviving for 35 years.[5]
The skin of the cane toad is dry and warty.[1] It has distinct ridges above the eyes, which run down the snout.[18] Individual cane toads can be grey, yellowish, red-brown, or olive-brown, with varying patterns.[6] A large parotoid gland lies behind each eye.[1] The ventral surface is cream-coloured and may have blotches in shades of black or brown. The pupils are horizontal and the irises golden.[10] The toes have a fleshy webbing at their base,[1] and the fingers are free of webbing.[6]
Typically, juvenile cane toads have smooth, dark skin, although some specimens have a red wash. Juveniles lack the adults' large parotoid glands, so they are usually less poisonous.[3] The tadpoles are small and uniformly black, and are bottom-dwellers, tending to form schools.[7] Tadpoles range from 10 to 25 mm (0.39 to 0.98 in) in length.[8]
Conservation 6
Cane toads are invasive and likely hurting Hawaii's ecosystem.
Sources and Credits 6
- Robinson 1998
- Lee 2001, p. 928
- Tyler 1989, p. 117
- Tyler 1989, pp. 117–118
- Grenard 2007, p. 55
- Cameron 2009
- Tyler 1976, p. 81
- Invasive Species Specialist Group 2006
- http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/frogs/canetoad.shtml
- "Giant Burrowing Frog". Wildlife of Sydney. Australian Museum. April 15, 2009. Retrieved June 17, 2009.
Sources and Credits
- no rights reserved, http://www.flickr.com/photos/55368994@N06/8329954582/
- (c) Sam Fraser-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfrasersmith/4559944181/
- (c) Andreas Kay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/andreaskay/16649417088/
- (c) Bernard DUPONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/berniedup/10606783786/
- Adapted by calebcam from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinella_marina
- (c) calebcam, some rights reserved (CC BY-ND)
