Protecting Pets from Poisonous Cane Toads

If you’re local to Florida, you most likely know or have heard of the term ‘cane toad’ before. Cane toads are considered an invasive species and are poisonous to most animals that try to bite or consume them. Cane toads are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be removed from private property and humanely killed year-round with landowner permission. These frogs pose a threat as they have enlarged, triangular poison glands on their shoulders that contain something called a ‘bufotoxin.’ They are poisonous to most animals that try to bite or consume them. They can also irritate the skin or burn the eyes of people who handle them. The cane toads or ‘bufo toads’ in Florida are an invasive species that can negatively impact ecosystems by competing with native species for food and shelter, and by preying on native animals. 

Cane toads are voracious predators that eat a wide variety of insects, frogs, small reptiles, mammals, and birds. They can deplete food sources for other animals, and their eggs contain bufotoxin that can harm or kill native animals that eat them. Cane toads proliferate in densely populated, human-modified environments and are frequently encountered in residential yards. Their activity peaks during the warm and humid conditions of spring and summer, with heightened activity observed during and following rainstorms. These amphibians reproduce in canals, ditches, and retention ponds, depositing thousands of eggs in elongated strings. Their toxin is strong enough to kill most native animals that normally eat frogs or frog eggs, including birds, other frogs, reptiles, and mammals.  

The impact of cane toads has led to the decline of many native species, and cane toads can compete with native frogs and toads for food and breeding areas. Native predators that die after eating, or attempting to eat, cane toads include goannas, freshwater crocodiles, tiger snakes, red-bellied black snakes, death adders, and quolls, which are all native species that help to support and balance the local ecosystems. Some species, on the other hand, are fully capable of consuming and digesting the cane toads, helping to eradicate some of the species. One of these includes the saw-shelled turtle, which has been known to successfully eat and digest the lethally toxic species. Southern Water Snakes in southwest Florida are also among the species that can safely consume the cane toads. 

Cane toads not only harm animal populations with their poison but also pose a significant threat by taking over shelters and habitats. Habitat loss is a major danger to populations, and the large number of cane toads has led to a decrease in available habitats for native frogs. Adult cane toads are nocturnal during the warm months, becoming active at night. During the daytime and in cold or dry conditions, they seek refuge in moist crevices and hollows. They sometimes dig shallow depressions beneath logs, rocks, and debris to create suitable shelters. To effectively deter cane toads from your property, it is essential to eliminate potential shelters, such as dark, damp areas. This involves removing items like pots, water containers, birdbaths, wood, lumber, and brush piles, as well as maintaining short grass and trimming the undersides of shrubs. Additionally, reducing food sources by bringing pet food indoors at night and minimizing outdoor lighting can help.  

Since cane toads require water every two days, removing standing water and draining artificial sources like bird baths when not in use is crucial. Enhancing lawn drainage by raking, aerating, trimming tree branches to decrease shade, and covering pools also aids in moisture reduction. Lastly, constructing a barrier with a smooth, solid material at least 50 cm high and securing it into the ground or reinforcing existing fences with fine mesh at the bottom can prevent cane toads from accessing your property. The presence of cane toads in Florida poses significant ecological threats due to their toxic nature and competitive behavior, highlighting the importance of effective management and control measures to protect native wildlife and ecosystems.