Bufo Toad
Description
The bufo toad (Bufo marinus) (marine toad , giant toad, cane toad) is a huge brown to grayish-brown toad with a creamy yellow belly and deeply-pitted parotid glands extending down the back(1). Adult giant toads generally range in size from 6 to 9in (15 to 23cm), but may get larger(1). They are replacing the native southern toad (Bufo terrestris) in the cities of southern Florida(2). 
The first attempted introduction of this toad was in 1936, the Agricultural Experimental Station of the University of Florida imported 200 marine toads from Puerto Rico and released them at Canal Point and Belle Glade in Palm Beach County to control sugar cane pests(2). But the current population was released prior to May 1955 near Miami’s airport(2). It is a relatively long-lived toad reaching ages up to ten years(3).
The bufo toad sits in an upright position when it moves, it hops in short fast hops(3). When confronted by a predator, it is able to "shoot" bufo toxin from the paratoid and other glands on the back in the form of white viscous venom(3). The secretions are highly toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals, and can cause skin irritation in humans(1). The marine toads are most frequently seen under the street lights of the suburbs(2). To avoid attracting toads to areas where pets are, do not leave pet food in open dishes in the yard. Bufo's are attracted to dogs' watering dishes, and may sit in the rim long enough to leave enough toxin to make a dog ill. Dogs may mouth bufo toads, thus getting a large dose of the bufo's toxins, secreted from the skin and paratid glands. Symptoms generally include profuse foamy salivation that looks like shaving cream, difficulty breathing, convulsions, paralysis, ventricular fibrillation, vomiting, and uncoordinated staggering. Untreated, the death rate for Bufo marinus may approach 100%(4).
First Aid
Immediately rinse out the pet’s mouth with a drippy wet wash cloth several times to remove any toxin from the mouth. Do not use a hose to rinse the mouth as water can easily be forced into the lungs causing more problems. Proceed to the nearest veterinary clinic or emergency clinic as time is of the essence. The smaller the pet or the larger the toad, the greater there is a risk of toxicity.
———— Do not attempt to treat this at home ———— Untreated, the death rate for Bufo marinus may approach 100%
Control
These toads are a non-native species and are not protected. They can be removed and disposed of humanely, by placing them in a plastic container (or bag) in the freezer for three days and then burying the carcasses. If you do not wish to handle the toads, contact a local nuisance animal trapper(1).
The native Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris) is sometimes mistaken for the Giant Toad. Here are a few ways to tell these toads apart:
- The Giant Toad has very large paratoid glands. The Southern Toad has smaller kidney-shaped paratoid glands, which secrete a substance that may be irritating to mucous membranes but is not toxic.
- The Southern Toad has two ridges on its head that end in knobs. The Giant Toad does not have these.
- The adult Southern Toad ranges in length from 1.75 to 4.5 inches. The adult Giant Toad ranges in length from 4 - 6 inches.
Credits
- Photos provided by: University of Florida, Florida Wildlife Extension Service web site http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/
- (1). This document is WEC-11, one of a series of the Wildlife Ecology and Conservation department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: June, 1990. Reviewed: September, 2002.
- (2). McCann Book Chapter 7, varamey@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu
- (3). Bufo Marinas Cane toad, Giant Toad written by Ryan Hilgris, Michigan State University student
- (4). Poisoned!, John Cargill & Susan Thorpe-Varg
