Class:
Amphibia
Order:
Anura
Scientific Name:
Bufo marinus
Range:
Central and S. America, introduced in Australia
Habitat:
Almost any humid site with adequate hiding places.
Diet:
Wild: Insects, small mammals, some vegetation, carrion and even dog food.
Zoo: Crickets, mice, depending on size of animal.
Gestation:
Incubation: Several days
Litter:
Clutch Size: Up to 50,000 eggs
Life Span:
15 years in captivity
Description:
Also known as the Giant Toad or Cane Toad. Body length is 4-9.5 inches and can weigh up to 3 pounds. Brown to yellow brown with prominent cranial crests. Paratoids extend down the sides of the body. The body outline is somewhat round and flattened. Females are larger than males.
Behavior: Primarily nocturnal. Although most toads are solitary, if insects are plentiful one may find a gathering around a pond or pool sitting in the glare of a street light and picking off numbers of insects. During the day they can be found beneath fallen trees, leaves, rocks or vegetation. The secretion of the paratoids is highly toxic. It will burn the eyes and may inflame the skin. Dogs or cats that bite this toad will sicken and may die.
Reproduction: Breeds year round if temperature and rainfall are adequate. The eggs are laid in long strings (one from each ovary) in long standing water such as ditches, canals, streams, ponds and fish ponds. Eggs and tadpoles are poisonous and displace native tadpoles. Larvae are tolerant of high temperatures.
Did You Know?
- Also called the Giant Toad or Cane Toad
- In areas where it was introduced (especially Australia) it has become a pest, often consuming native amphibian species.
- There are no threats to this very adaptable, invasive species.
Where in the Zoo?
I can be found in the following locations at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo:
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