COMMON NAME

Cane Toad, Marine Toad, Giant Toad

LATIN NAME

Bufo marinus

NATIVE TO

Native to tropical Central and South America. Introduced by man to Australia, Hawaii and Eastern USA.

ADULT SIZE

Females can reach 9.4in/24cm. Males are much smaller at 6in/15cm. Can live up to 40 years in captivity

EGGS OR YOUNG?

Lays 30,000 eggs as spawn. Tadpoles will hatch in 3 days

APPEARANCE

Cane Toads are very large and heavily built amphibians with warty skin. Body colour is olive-brown to reddish-brown on top, with a paler white or yellowish belly flecked with brown

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

Feed every other day or so. Cane Toads, like all frogs, are primarily insect feeders. However, they will eat almost any type of animal food that they can fit in their mouth! Their diet includes small lizards, frogs, mice and even younger Cane Toads. They will also eat earthworms and slugs. Provide a weekly dose of vitamin/mineral supplement.

EASE OF CARE

Beginners upwards.

TEMPERAMENT

Docile and relatively affectionate. Although unlikely to ever harm its keeper, it can release a powerful chemical called bufotoxin when under extreme stress, such as being bitten by a predator, to quickly kill a large dog. For this reason some care must be taken when handling specimens and wild Canes are best left alone. Never put your hands near your face and eyes after handling this (or any other) amphibian.

VIVARIUM SETUP

Large vivarium 36x15x12in/90x38x30cm. Sub tropical rainforest-type climate. Don't let the vivarium get too moist. Provide hiding places, potted plants and a roomy water bowl. Daytime temperature of 68-77F/20-25C, never dropping below 65F/18C at night. Fluorescent light tube, water filter, basking light and under-tank heatpad required.

SUBSTRATE

Non rocky substrate such as bark and moss.