The giant toad, scientifically known as Bufo marinus, was introduced to Australia 70 years ago to combat the infestation of cane beetles in sugarcane fields. However, it has now become a significant threat to the local flora and fauna due to its rapid and excessive growth, according to the February 16 issue of Nature magazine.
This toad species has yellow skin and can weigh up to 2 kg, making it the largest amphibian in the world, originally from the Antilles. They are toxic, lay between 5,000 and 10,000 eggs per year, and are commonly referred to as the cane toad.
According to a research team led by zoologist Richard Shine from the University of Sydney, the first toads introduced to Australia were intended to eliminate crop-destroying insects. However, their large legs have enabled them to quickly expand into new territories. Numerous studies have shown that the cane toad has spread over an area of more than 1,000 km², attacking local wildlife and causing the extinction of various amphibian species, reptiles, and even rodents in areas where they inhabit.
Moreover, scientists have confirmed that subsequent generations of cane toads have developed even longer and larger legs than their predecessors. As a result, they have been able to travel a distance of 1.8 km in just one night.
In light of the cane toad’s rapid morphological changes, scientists warn that they will quickly dominate new lands and subsequently attack local species. The resulting imbalance in the local ecosystem is only a matter of time.
DUC TRUONG
