The cane toad was introduced to Queensland in 1935 to control sugar-cane beetles.
About 2,400 cane toads were brought from Hawaii to Queensland, but the biological-control plan failed because the toads could not effectively reach the beetles living high on sugar-cane plants. The toads instead spread rapidly through much of northern Australia.
Cane toads are highly toxic at every life stage. Their parotoid glands release bufotoxins that can kill predators, including native snakes, lizards, mammals and crocodiles. Tadpoles and eggs are also poisonous, making the species especially damaging to aquatic predators.
The cane toad is not native to Australia; its original range includes parts of Central and South America. Australia’s invasion-control programs focus on stopping its spread and protecting native animals that are vulnerable to its toxins.