What is the big deal about cane toads in austraila anyways?

Answer 1

Introduction to Australia

Bufo marinus as purse
The spread of Cane Toads in Australia from 1940 to 1980 in 5 year intervals.In attempts to control the native Cane Beetle, 102 Cane Toads were introduced to Australia from Hawaii in June 1935. They bred immediately in captivity and by August 1935 more than 3000 young toads were released in areas around Cairns, Gordonvale and Innisfail in northern Queensland. More Toads were released around Ingham, Ayr, Mackay and Bundaberg. Releases were temporarily limited due to environmental concerns, but resumed in other areas after September 1936. Since their release, toads have steadily expanded their range through Queensland, reaching the border with New South Wales in 1978 and the Northern Territory in 1984. The toads on the western frontier of their advance have evolved larger legs;[10] this is thought to be related to their ability to travel further. It is estimated that Cane Toads migrate at an average of 40 kilometres (25 mi) a year.[11]

The long-term impact of toads on the Australian environment is difficult to determine. Precipitous declines in populations of the Northern Quoll have been observed after toads have invaded an area. There are a number of reports of declines in goanna and snake populations after the arrival of toads.[12] The preliminary risk assessment of Cane Toads in Kakadu National Park stated that the predation of the Cane Toad by native wildlife is the greatest risk to biodiversity. Other factors, such as competition with native wildlife for resources, and the predation of the Cane Toad on native wildlife, were considered much lower risk factors.[13]

A number of native species have been reported as successfully preying on toads. Some birds, such as the Black Kite (Milvus migrans),[14] have learned to attack the toad's belly, avoiding the poison producing glands on the back of the head. Reports in the Northern Territory suggest that a native frog, Dahl's Tree Frog (Litoria dahlii), is able to eat the tadpoles and live young of the toad without being affected by the poison that often kills other predators.[15] This is believed to account for slower than expected infestations of toads in certain areas of the Northern Territory. Some snakes have been reported to have evolved smaller jaws so that they are unable to swallow large Cane Toads which have large quantities of poison.[16]

As of 2005, ultraviolet light has been used to lure and capture Cane Toads for extermination.[17] In June 2006, the University of Queensland announced research into a gene to reverse the sex of female Cane Toads. This would lead to a population of males, and thus eliminate the population.[18] However, this would risk a reverse introduction that would wipe out Cane Toads, and possibly other species, in their native range.

Answer 2

Perfect example of a stupid politician bringing in a non native species into the country. They are very toxic, will mate with anything that hold still, produce young at an alarming rate, kill off native animals, eat anything they can fit into their large mouths, and have no predators on the Continent to control them. Basically they are destroying the wild life of Australia at an alarming rate. This is all do to a stupid female politician.

Answer 3

No natural predators and they eat like a sumbitch!