Cane Toad (Rhinella marina)

A Cane Toad I saw on our lawn a couple of days ago. Despite being a super common species throughout Trinidad, it was my first sighting in a very long time, and also a strong indicator of ecosystem health. In addition to this sighting, I also spotted an Emerald-Eyed Tree Frog stuck to the bedroom window on the outside; while this too is a common species across both Trinidad and Tobago, it was my first sighting.

comments (6)

Ruth Spigelman

Lion

Our Australian nemesis! Introduced to Queensland in 1935, hoping to control the cane beetles - oh boy, did that backfire. Congrats on a first sighting for you, that's always a special moment. Posted 4 years ago
1. Wesley Goorachan
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you, it really was a special moment seeing that frog! I heard about the Cane Toad being an invasive species in Australia, in Trinidad their population is kept in check by our very large number of snakes, caimans and raptors. Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Ruth Spigelman
    
    Lion
    
    That's interesting, they have clearly evolved together. As you know, we have some of the world's most venomous snakes here in Australia, but delivering venom and ingesting poison are two very different things! So, many are killed after eating the toads. However, there's one, the keelback whose ancestors originated in Asia where toads have similar toxins and this is one snake that can eat them. And then interestingly, our red-bellied black snake has manifested rapid post-crisis adaptation, populations of this species in areas with many cane toads appear to have developed a higher resistance to the toxins. Equally fascinating is that in some areas, these snakes have evolved smaller heads, which physically prevents them from eating large (and therefore more poisonous) toads.
    Posted 4 years ago
  2. 1. Wesley Goorachan
      
      Lion
      
      That's so interesting! Australia's snakes are truly among the best in the world. The fact that these adaptations are occurring so quickly shows how complex nature really is! The Cane Toads actually were introduced to my country but due to Trinidad and Tobago actually having been part of the South American continent (they became islands through sea level rise) the toads became naturalised. Posted 4 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Crystal clear shot, well done. Posted 4 years ago
1. Wesley Goorachan
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks so much Ferdy! Posted 4 years ago

The Cane toad

The cane toad, also known as the giant neotropical toad or marine toad, is a large, terrestrial true toad which is native to Central and South America, but has been introduced to various islands throughout Oceania and the Caribbean, as well as northern Australia.

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Similar species: Frogs

Species identified by Wesley Goorachan