This species is monitored by FWC.
Early spring months bring a re-emergence of cane toads to Southwest Florida. While these invasive amphibians can breed any time of the year, they tend to show themselves most during the evenings of spring and summer. Native to South America, the cane toad was originally introduced to Florida in the 1930’s and 40’s in a misguided attempt to control agricultural pests in sugar cane fields. In the years following, the pet trade also contributed with its share of releases and escapees during the 1950’s and 60’s. Regardless of the origin however, these animals, unfortunately, are here to stay.
Cane toads have a big appetite and are capable of eating just about anything they can fit into their mouths and it’s quite likely that this insatiable hunger is what made them an attractive choice for pest control to begin with. Unfortunately, that very trait is now posing a threat to our native wildlife, and also results in them being attracted to our homes when pet food/feces or garbage is left out. It is not uncommon to see one eating right out of the dog food bowl left on a porch. This increases the risk for a toad-pet interaction. Cane toads are not aggressive, but they have enlarged paratoid glands on their neck and shoulder region that produce a bufotoxin, that when ingested, is highly toxic. This substance is released as a defense mechanism that can severely injure or even kill an animal that licks or bites them – including pets.
Please follow links below to learn more about symptoms of cane toad poisoning so you can react quickly and get your pet to a veterinarian immediately.
CISMA Southwest Florida
IFAS Extension
The native southern toad (Anaxyrus terrestris) is easily misidentified as the cane toad. Before you remove a toad from your property please be sure they are properly identified as a cane toad. Southern toads occupy the same habitats and have been known to reach a length of 4.5 inches; therefore the best way to avoid any chance of mistaken identity would be to only remove those that exceed that length. It is almost impossible to distinguish the 2 species when they are at any other life stage (eggs, tadpoles) or smaller in size.
Please follow links below for helpful information and pictorial comparisons of cane toads vs southern toads:
UF Florida Wildlife Extension
UF IFAS Extension
UF IFAS
We will never eradicate this species from our ecosystem. Therefore learning to properly identify them, remove them from areas where it can be done without harming the environment or native animals, and learning to live with them safely will all be important steps in protecting our pets and our wildlife.
On the IFAS website there is information available regarding the humane euthanasia of cane toads. It is based on the best information available to date and is the most appropriate and least cruel way of getting rid of these animals when necessary. It must be remembered that cane toads are not here due to any fault of their own. We brought them here and must be mindful to treat them respectfully. If euthanasia is necessary for the safety of pets and the good of local wildlife, you can find recommendations from University of Florida - IFAS on this link, under the header Damage and Control.
Conservancy scientists, in collaboration with research partners, have learned that Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in Southwest Florida often make use of burrows constructed by large, native wildlife.
Learn more
Florida Wildlife Commission and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida are working together to train natural resource workers, who may encounter Burmese pythons in the field, how to safely capture them.
The Kemp's ridley turtle is considered the most endangered sea turtle species in the world and also happens to be the most common sea turtle residing in the nearshore waters of Southwest Florida.