12 Facts About the Cane Toad: Toxicity, Medicinal Use, Diet & More

Meet the cane toad. Scientifically known as Rhinella marina, these toads are tough, adaptable, and trying to take over the world. Cane toads are found in many areas and are blowing up in Australia. With so many of these creatures roaming the world, understanding these toxic amphibians is a necessity. Below, we’ll share 12 facts about the cane toad to help you learn more about these dangerous amphibians so you can safely mingle in their world.

The 12 Facts About the Cane Toad

1. A Toad of Many Names

Cane toads, or Rhinella marina, have a lot of names they are known by. Other than cane toad, you may hear people around the world refer to these amphibians as the giant toad, Dominican toad, South American cane toad, spring chicken, marine toad, giant marine toad, and giant toad.

2. Cane Toads Are Found in Several Areas

Cane toads are oddly enough native to Mexico, Central and South America, and extreme South Texas. Currently, these toads are found in several areas around the world. One of the biggest populations of these toads can now be found in Australia.

3. The Biggest Toads in the World

On average, a cane toad will reach lengths of 4 to 6 inches. They usually weigh up to 3 pounds, but that doesn’t mean they can’t grow larger than that. Toadzilla, the biggest cane toad on record, weighed in at a little over 5 pounds. In most instances, female cane toads grow larger than males.

4. Cane Toad Poison Was Once Used as a Weapon

Yes, it is true. The toxin found inside cane toads was used by the Choco Indians of Colombia as a weapon. Using bamboo tubes and an open flame, the Choco Indians would “milk” these toads and smear the toxins on the darts of blow darts and arrowheads.

5. Lots of Poisonous Eggs

Female cane toads can lay between 8,000 to 30,000 eggs at a time. Egg laying can take place twice a year. These eggs and the tadpoles that emerge are all poisonous. Oddly enough, the emerging tadpoles also show signs of cannibalism. While they don’t snack on their siblings, cane toad tadpoles will invade other nests and consume the eggs or smaller tadpoles. Any other creature that tries to make a meal out of these little ones, however, will not have the greatest day thanks to their toxic nature.

6. Cane Toads Have Taken Over Australia

In 1935, cane toads were introduced to Australia as a way to control cane beetles that were damaging cane fields around Queensland. Unfortunately, the 102 cane toads that were released barely encountered the annoying beetles and had practically no impact. This miscalculation has grown in severity over the years. Now, it is estimated that roughly 200 million cane toads hop around Australia. These toads are considered invasive and cause significant damage to Australia’s ecosystem.

7. The Cane Toad’s Toxin

We’ve already mentioned that cane toads are toxic throughout all stages of their lives. If one of these toads feels threatened, it releases a milky-white toxin called bufotoxin. This toxin is carried in glands behind the cane toad’s eardrums. This leaves the skin and even the back of the cane toad poisonous. Animals who attempt to eat these toads experience this toxin and suffer greatly for making them part of their diet.

8. Many People Think Licking Cane Toads Can Get Them High

Yes, there is a disturbing urban legend that circulates the world claiming that licking a cane toad can get you high. This is not true. When a human comes in contact with the toxin of a cane toad they can experience issues such as temporary blindness, intense pain, and even inflammation. Considering what a cane toad’s toxin can do to people, just imagine what happens to animals that come into contact with these dangerous toads.

9. People Also Eat Cane Toads

In Australia, chefs have begun adding cane toads to recipes. Apparently, if they are prepared properly, cane toad legs don’t present danger to those eating them. Those who have enjoyed a cane toad dish claim it is tasty. People in Australia hope that adding these invasive creatures to recipes will help slow down the growing numbers taking over their country.

10. Cane Toad Poison as Medicine

With all the cane toads roaming Australia, it makes sense that researchers in the area are curious to discover whether cane toad toxins can be used as medicine. There is already evidence that this poison will kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. According to an article in The Guardian, these researchers hope to convert the toxin into a pill, despite it tasting so terrible, to make use of the overpopulated toads potentially.

11. Cane Toads Eat Almost Anything

Cane toads are far from picky eaters. These large toads will happily eat anything that will fit into their mouths. This can be insects like beetles and crickets. It can even be other frogs or snakes. Disturbingly, these toads can eat small cats and dogs, and even the foods we feed our household pets.

12. The Royal Cane Toad Gift

The Australian Defense Department decided to make use of cane toad hide in 1981. Since the toxin can be removed from this hide, it can be used for crafting. To honor Prince Charles on his marriage to Diana Spencer, he was presented with a book bound in leather crafted from the hides of four cane toads.

Conclusion

These 12 facts about cane toads can come in handy, especially if you live in an area where these toads roam. While these toads have an affinity for taking over the areas they roam, surviving with them around is possible. For those of you in areas with cane toads, or areas where they expect them to invade, keep your eyes open, protect your pets, and please don’t try to lick frogs for the fun of it. Playing around with cane toads doesn’t usually work out well for those involved.

Featured Image Credit: Gualberto Becerra, Shutterstock