Cane Toad

Rhinella marina

The Cane Toad is a large amphibian with bumpy skin. It is known for its loud croaking sound and can puff up to look bigger when scared.

Habitat: Urban areas, Coastal areas

Appearance

The Cane Toad has dry, warty skin, typically grey, olive-brown, or reddish-brown. It features prominent bony ridges above its eyes and very large, obvious parotoid glands behind its ears. This distinguishes it visually from most native Australian frogs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyBufonidaeGenusRhinella

Cane Toad

Interesting facts

A single female cane toad can lay up to 35,000 eggs at once in long jelly strings!

Cane toads can absorb water through their skin, they don't need to drink with their mouth!

The biggest cane toad ever recorded was named 'Toadzilla' and weighed 2.7 kilograms!

These toads are nocturnal, meaning they are most active searching for food at night.

Special abilities

Cane Toads have large glands behind their eyes that release a milky toxin to protect them from predators.

Cane Toad tadpoles and eggs contain toxins, which helps them avoid being eaten by aquatic predators.

Cane Toads have tough, leathery skin that helps them resist water loss, enabling them to survive in drier habitats.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-25 cm
Weight: 0.05-2.65 kg
Lifespan: 5-15 years
Top Speed: 0.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 8000-35000
Metamorphosis: 18-60 days

Diet & Feeding

This opportunistic amphibian will eat almost anything that fits in its mouth, from insects to small rodents!

Age differences: Tadpoles eat algae and detritus. Juveniles and adults eat a wide variety of invertebrates and small vertebrates.

Primary Foods

beetles
ants
termites
cockroaches
snails
small lizards

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eats

House Fly

Musca domestica

Eats various insect species.

eats

American Cockroach

Periplaneta americana

Consumes many common invertebrates.

eaten by

Water Python

Liasis fuscus

Some populations have adapted to prey on them.

depends on

Humans

Homo sapiens

Introduced by humans to control agricultural pests.

Traits

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Coastal

Discover life found along the edges where land meets the sea! These habitats are always changing with the tides and waves, offering unique environments.

Carnivorous

Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.

Toxic

These plants and animals contain substances that can be harmful if they enter another living being. It's their way of staying safe in the wild.

Urban Friendly

Spot amazing living things that thrive right alongside us in cities and towns, finding homes in parks, gardens, and even cracks in pavements.

Invasive

Sometimes, plants or animals move to a new place where they don't naturally belong. They can grow so much that they make it hard for the native plants and animals to thrive.

Nocturnal

Explore the secret world of animals that come alive at night! They are wide awake when it's dark, using their amazing senses to find food and play.

Venomous

Be amazed by animals that can inject special substances to defend themselves or catch their food! They deliver their potent dose through a bite or a sting.