Rhinella marina
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Rhinella marina (Linnaeus, 1758) - (South American cane toad)
The toad is native to South America and has been introduced into several countries as a biological control agent against insect pests. It has become an ecological pest, especially in Australia. The ecological impact ranges from competition with native amphibians to lethal toxic ingestion by predators like large lizards, snakes and crocodiles. As a defense, the toad excretes a milky-white liquid which is highly toxic.
The toad has been introduced into various tropical countries, but the introduction into Australia has caused the greatest concerns. Large-scale releases were made in Queensland, starting 1935, against the cane beetle Dermolepida albohirtum. Subsequently, it spread south to New South Wales and west to the Northern Territory as well as Western Australia. Its range in Australia is still expanding.
| Vernacular names | |
|---|---|
| • Deutsch: | Aga-Kröte |
| • English: | South American cane toad |
| • Español: | sapo de caña |
| • Français: | crapaud buffle |
Apart from arthropods, its diet includes small vertebrates and even plants. The toad is terrestrial and breeds in fresh water only. The development from egg, through the tadpole stage, to the land-living toad stage lasts around a month. Female adults are larger than males and can reach a length of 10-15 cm. The toad is dark brown dorsally and cream coloured ventrally. It can live for 10-15 years.
Synonyms:
Bufo marinus
Chaunus marinus
Rana marina
For details see the respective page in Wikipedia.
- Other images of Rhinella marina (Wikimedia Commons and IPM Images - click to enlarge)
specimen from Brazil
specimen from Brazil
distribution: blue = native, red = exotic/invasive
invasion 1940 to 1980 in Australia
