Cane toads, also known as bufo toads or marine toads, are present in Florida. These large amphibians are an invasive species. Understanding their characteristics, risks, and management is important. This article covers identification, dangers to pets and wildlife, safe removal methods, and their history in the state.
Identifying Cane Toads
Distinguishing cane toads from native species is important. Cane toads are large, typically 4 to 9 inches long, significantly larger than most native toads (rarely over 3-4 inches). They have warty, dry skin, ranging from reddish-brown to gray, often with a light-yellow or beige belly.
Cane toads have large, triangular poison glands (parotoid glands) behind their eyes, angling onto their shoulders. Unlike native southern toads, cane toads lack prominent head crests.
Risks to Pets and Wildlife
Cane toads secrete potent toxins, posing a significant risk. When threatened, their parotoid glands release a milky bufotoxin. This toxin rapidly absorbs through pets’ mucous membranes (gums and tongue), causing severe illness or death.
Symptoms of bufotoxin poisoning appear within minutes, including excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, head shaking, and vocalization. Serious signs include disorientation, stumbling, seizures, difficulty breathing, and a rapid or abnormal heart rate. Gums may appear brick red. Immediate veterinary attention is necessary if a pet encounters a cane toad; the toxin can be fatal in as little as 15 minutes without treatment.
They also threaten native wildlife. They compete with native species for food and breeding areas. Their voracious appetites lead them to prey on smaller animals like native birds, snakes, lizards, and other frogs. Their toxicity also harms native predators that consume them, disrupting the local ecosystem.
Safe Removal and Management
Safe removal and management are important for residents encountering cane toads. When handling a cane toad, always wear gloves and eye protection to avoid contact with toxins. Use a net or shovel to capture the toad and place it in a secure container.
Humane euthanasia methods are recommended. One method involves applying 20% benzocaine topical anesthetic (e.g., Orajel) to the toad’s back or belly for sedation. Once unconscious, place it in a sealed plastic bag and freeze for at least 48 hours. Alternatively, chill the toad in a refrigerator for 2-3 hours before freezing for 24 hours.
Captured cane toads must not be relocated or released. If uncomfortable with these methods, contact local animal control or professional pest removal services.
Habitat modification can deter cane toads. Removing standing water (e.g., from flowerpots or leaky hoses) eliminates breeding sites and water sources. Securing pet food and water bowls indoors at night prevents attracting them. Trimming low foliage and keeping grass short reduces hiding places, making the environment less appealing. Installing a fine mesh or solid fence at least 1.5 feet high, with the bottom edge buried, creates an effective barrier since cane toads are not strong jumpers.
Origin and Spread in Florida
Cane toads are an invasive species in Florida. Their introduction dates back to the 1930s and 1940s, initially for biological pest control in sugarcane fields. However, these initial populations failed to establish.
Current populations in Florida result from accidental escapes and intentional releases by pet importers (1950s-1960s). Since then, cane toads have spread throughout much of central and southern Florida, typically south of the I-4 corridor. Their adaptability to various conditions, including human-modified habitats (yards, golf courses, agricultural areas), has contributed to their spread. They are particularly common in urban and suburban environments.