Cane Toads Are They Evil?

[GregH]

I've known for around 4-5 months that a large cane toad had made it's way into my aviary ( brought in on a potted plant) and although I wanted it out I never found it until today. I know that it's been consuming a lot of the insects in the aviary from examinng the scatts but also during that time I really haven't had much sucess in breeding: eggs failing to hatch, no young fledging and adults mysteriously dying of what teh vet school here termed "mal-adsorption syndrome". Since the toad and birds would have to share the water dish at some time could it be responsible for the inhabitants failure to thrive. I can't find anything in the scientific literature other than toads eating cicks or blocking nesting tunnels of bee-eaters. Do we all hate toads because they are ugly or there unexpected and undesirable consequences of their presence that we aren't even aware of yet? Does any one have any evidence that there is a link?

[Pete Sara]

hi greg . i am lucky we dont have a problem down here with them yet. but if they allowed toad golf up north it would be much easier to erradicate them. dont the little buggers secrete poison from the side of there neck , so if they go in the water dish of your birds and secreet the nasty goo it would probably kill them.from what i have read somwhere that according to the australian museum , that the red bellied black snake has over the years has had its head become smaller due to eating the cane toad, so that they only eat smaller toads that contain less toxins than the larger ones. old darwins theory at work here.....pete

[liza]

Hi Greg, After living in Queensland for a few years and keeping birds.......You will find that the toad is a very unwanted stayer. After my experience the toad's seem to make the birds nervous. And yes they will secrete their poison if the birds try and defend themselves. The toad may keep your bug count down but it will be having an affect on your birds.
You will probably find as well that the birds wont approach the water dish if the toad is near it. Maybe a golf club will be the best thing or you can try and poor table salt on it.

[gomer]

I have heard alot of toads have died from smoking ciggys aswell.not a nice way to go.

[Pete Sara]

and jazz bands....

[finchbreeder]

I was also of the impression that they secreted a poison that kills many other creatures.
Good news is only the W.A. - N.T. border has very slight incursions so far.
But I have also heard that the best place for a cane toad (apart from another continent) is in the bottom of the bait fridge.
LML

[Mickp]

I didnt enjoy cane toad golf, too messy. was much more fun using a 12 guage

[GregH]

Well the toad is gone. I asked a toad researcher from the invasive animals CRC, Rob Capon, about toxin effects and he told me that they only secrete when threatened but that given the small mass of a finch even tiny amounts might have effect. More likely he said was stress caused by its presence in the aviary since toads are nocturnal it would have disturbed the roosting birds. Luckily I have a nearby security light or I may have lost more.

[arthur]

Cane toads ARES evil

In the aviary they will eat fledgling finches when they are on the floor and also unwary or unwell adults . . Large green tree frogs will do this also, and the greenies will climb so may be found in nests and nestboxes where they will devour eggs and young . . Cane toads are not climbers

The toads are great at hiding and are probably mostly found in newly constructed aviaries, which have been built around their hiding places

Green frogs because they can climb may enter aviaries when they are small enough to pass through wire mesh . . yet another reason to use 6mm mesh . . and grow to be large enough to eat the legitimate aviary inhabitants . . There are numerous photographs in the literature of frogs eating finches

Evidence of the presence of frogs and toads will be daily poop in the water dish . . usually deposited overnight, and there is nothing more frustrating than knowing that the pests are there but not being able to find them

Because they are amphibian, frogs and toads will come out of hiding during prolonged showers or storms and this is the best time to clear them from your aviaries. Put on your raincoat and grab your eradication gear and these pest will be found out in the rain temporarily having fun

The only problem with this strategy . . . IT DOESN'T RAIN ANYMORE

[jusdeb]

Touch wood they havent made it to Dubbo as yet , was in Qld earlier in the year and I gotta say they are freakin ugly little buggers .
The vets up there make a fortune out of pets that have grabbed a toad and been poisoned and from what Im told its not pleasant for the pets.
@cane toad golf ....kinda opens up a whole new list of fun and games to be played with cane toads , cane toad footy might be fun lol.