Cane Toad

Description:

The ubiquitous cane toad, largest species in the family Bufonidae, is an invasive species in Australia. It is responsible for the death of local wildlife and domestic animals which are not immune to its toxin, and because of this, toads tend not to hide and are usually targeted by predators, who then expose themselves to the toxic effects. This species is having a catastrophic effect on the Australian ecosystem.

Habitat:

Found along a section of Gold Creek, which runs into Gold Creek Reservoir. A cool, moist subtropical rainforest environment in this section of the park, but toads can and do live in all sorts of environments, both natural and man made.

Notes:

The wikipedia link has loads of information on this species. 102 Cane Toads were imported to Australia in 1935 in an attempt to rid the country of the Greyback Cane Beetle, which was decimating Queensland sugar cane crops. Unfortunately, the toads were disinclined to eat cane beetles. Instead, they set about doing what cane toads do best - multiplying, migrating and thriving. 75 years later, an estimated 1.5 billion toads occupy over 1 million square kilometers of territory – and their conquest steadily continues. They are moving their way down through NSW to Sydney, and have also spread up into the Northern Territory to Darwin and beyond. I read recently about the toad situation at Gold Creek Reservoir, and it was suggested that dog food might be an important component in bringing the local toad problem under control. I saw hundreds of tiny toads around the walking track and reservoir shoreline, but I also saw plenty of meat ants. The dog food brings the toads to the ants. A good idea, and definitely worth a try.