What are Cane Toads?
The Cane toad, or Rhinella Marina, is a large, omnivorous amphibian native to Central and South America. They span from 10 to 15 centimetres in length, and can weigh over 1kg. Adult toads are typically light brown or yellow-brown in colour, and have dry, warty skin and dark spots. They were introduced to Queensland almost a century ago, and have since made their way into North-East New South Whales and even down to Sydney! The toads have a low-pitched buzzing call that is distinctly lower than the calls of native frogs. They have glands on their shoulders that secrete bufotoxin – a poison that they use as a defence mechanism.
Read more about cane toads
How you can help – and why you should.
Unfortunately, pets like dogs and cats are curious critters and like to chase, lick or even try to eat cane toads. This is a serious danger due to the toads’ poison, which can cause drooling, inflamed gums, vomiting, seizures, or even death. If you think your pet has come in contact with a cane toad, you should immediately rinse out their mouth and contact a vet ASAP. However, we can’t always be around to help our pets if they get into trouble, which is why culling is the only solution to our cane toad problem. Culling is the reduction of an animal population through euthanasia. Scientists are constantly researching new means to mitigate and manage the spread of cane toads, but while we wait, culling is the most effective method to protect our furry friends.
How to Humanely Euthanise a Cane Toad
- The first step is to catch the toad. Make sure you haven’t got it mixed up with a native species; they’re easily identifiable by their size, head shape, and skin texture
- Once you’re sure it’s a cane toad, grab it by the back legs
- Take the toad home where you can humanely euthanise it. The RSPCA recommends the cool-and-freeze method
- Put the toad in a plastic bag or container. If you have multiple toads they should each be in their own containers
- Put the container in a refrigerator at 4°C for 12 hours
- Ensure the toad is not moving before transferring it to a freezer, leaving it for 24 hours
- Make sure to dispose of the toad in a closed bag in your bin, if an animal eats the carcass it can still be poisoned.