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Cane toad (Rhinella marina)

Released in Queensland in 1935, cane toads have spread across northern Australia. Their toxin kills native predators such as quolls, goannas, snakes and freshwater crocodiles, as well as pets.

Key facts

Type: Pest animal, amphibian.

Native to: Central and South America.

Established in: QLD, NSW, WA, NT.

Identification

  • Heavy, warty toad up to 15 cm or more, grey, olive or brown.
  • Large toxin glands behind the eyes and a bony ridge over the eyes.
  • Eggs laid in long strings of black dots in clear jelly; tadpoles are small and black.
  • Look-alike: Many native frogs are mistaken for cane toads; check for the bony ridge and large shoulder glands.

Where it lives

Almost any habitat with access to water, including towns, farms and mine sites.

Why it matters

  • Poisoning of native predators and pets.
  • Competition with native frogs.
  • Predation on insects and small animals.

How it spreads

  • Natural spread along waterways and roads.
  • Hitchhiking in freight, plant pots and vehicles.

Control methods

  • Hand collection and humane euthanasia, such as cooling then freezing, or a registered toad euthanasia product.
  • Tadpole traps using toad toxin lures.
  • Fencing of dams and ponds to reduce breeding.

Site hygiene and welfare

  • Check vehicles, plant and freight before moving into toad-free areas.
  • Wear gloves when handling toads.
  • Use methods set out in the national model codes of practice and standard operating procedures for the species.
  • Coordinate control with neighbours and the local government biosecurity plan, as isolated effort is quickly undone by reinvasion.

Classification by state

  • Australia (national): Key threatening process. Listed under the EPBC Act, with a national threat abatement plan for the biological effects of cane toads.
  • Queensland: Not prohibited or restricted. Not listed as prohibited or restricted matter in Queensland. Everyone must also take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise its risks (the general biosecurity obligation).
  • New South Wales: General biosecurity duty. Not prohibited matter in NSW. The general biosecurity duty applies: anyone dealing with it must prevent, eliminate or minimise the risk it poses.
  • Victoria: Controlled pest animal. It is a controlled pest animal in Victoria, so it can only be kept in high security collections under permit. Report any sighting to Agriculture Victoria.
  • South Australia: Declared animal. Declared animals have legal restrictions, which can cover keeping, moving, selling and releasing them, and landowners may be required to control them.
  • Western Australia: Declared pest (C1), prohibited. C1 Exclusion: to be kept out of WA, or out of the parts of WA where it is not established. Report any sighting to DPIRD. It must not be brought into WA (prohibited organism).
  • Tasmania: Not a declared pest. Not a declared pest or prohibited matter in Tasmania. Importing animals is still controlled by Biosecurity Tasmania.
  • Northern Territory: Not a declared pest. Not on an NT declared or prohibited list. Check with the NT Government before keeping, moving or releasing it.
  • Australian Capital Territory: Not declared. Not declared under the Biosecurity Act 2023 (ACT). A general biosecurity duty still applies.

Legal obligations

Every state and territory places a duty on landholders and people working on land to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as the general biosecurity obligation in Queensland and the general biosecurity duty in New South Wales. Declarations and control requirements differ between states and local government areas, so check the current official list before work starts.

  • Queensland: Biosecurity Act 2014 (Qld), administered by Biosecurity Queensland (13 25 23)
  • New South Wales: Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), administered by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Western Australia: Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (WA), administered by the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Northern Territory: Territory Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1976 (NT), administered by NT Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

Sources