BUFO MARINE TOAD

ORDER

Anura (frogs and toads)

FAMILY

Bufonidae

HABITAT AND RANGE

The Bufo marine toad is found primarily in Central and South America, from the Rio Grande through Peru. They prefer both tropical and semi-arid environments.

IDENTIFICATION

Bufo marine toads come in many different color morphs ranging from cream to olive green or brown with prominent rows of warts and spots down either side and along their backs. Their most dominant feature are the enlarged parotid glands that begin behind their eyes and can run down their sides which can exude a poisonous milky substance on attack. They also have distinct eye ridges, which run down their snout as well. They can weigh up to 2 pounds and measure15 in. long (largest captured in Aus.). Females are larger than males.

DIET

Bufo marine toads are omnivorous. They eat primarily small vertebrates, insects, plant matter and human refuse.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Bufo marine toads can lay upwards of 10,000 eggs per season. They typically breed between early spring and late summers, usually during or immediately after a rainstorm. Their eggs float on strings, which can wrap around submerged objects or float for three days before hatching. These toads remain in their tadpole stage for approximately 45-55 days. Lifespan can reach 10-15 years in the wild or up to 15 in captivity.

NOTES

Bufo marine toads have been introduced to various countries, such as Australia, in order to control pest species such as hawk moth larvae or other pest insects. They are also known as “Cane Toads” for their introduction to eat beetles in sugar cane fields. Bufotoxins are considered a class 1 drug in Australia and deters most predators from attacking the adult toads; however young toads and tadpoles rarely make it to adulthood due to the weakness of their toxins and inability to protect themselves. They can also survive a loss of up to 50% of their bodies’ water and temperatures ranging from 5-40 degrees Celsius.