Cane Toad

Pyxicephalus adspersus

Animal Class: Amphibians

Length: Typically 4-6 inches, although they can get up to 9 inches long.

Weight: 2-3 pounds.

Lifespan: 10-15 years in the wild. They can live 35 years or more in human care.

Diet: They will eat any meat they can catch, including small rodents, birds, insects, and other amphibians. They will also eat dead animals.

Habitat: Their native range stretches across much of the Americas.

Description: Cane toads are a large species of toad. They have poison glands and can be highly toxic to predators as tadpoles or adults.

Beginning in the 1800s, they were introduced to other countries as a way to control insects that preyed on sugarcane. However, because of their significant appetite and adaptability, cane toads have been classified as an invasive species in more than 20 countries. In Australia, especially, it’s been devastating to native wildlife, and scientists are studying ways to minimize the spread of cane toads in non-native environments.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Our Animals: Ron and Hermione. These animals are also Ambassador Animals.

Photo Credit: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons