Cane toads can grow to quite a size. Image Credit: CC BY-SA 2.0 Bernard DUPONT
A South Florida neighborhood has been besieged this month by countless thousands of poisonous cane toads.
The toxic amphibians, which arrived in the United States over 60 years ago, have been multiplying to such an extent recently that in some areas they have managed to cover every square inch of ground.
The city of Palm Beach Gardens has borne the brunt of the invasion with thousands of toads turning up in people's gardens, swimming pools and drainage outlets.
What makes the problem worse is that the toads secrete a toxic substance when threatened which, in addition to irritating the skin and eyes, can prove particularly deadly to cats and dogs if ingested.
Experts believe that the warmer winter and recent heavy rains are to blame for the infestation and that the toads themselves are coming from a nearby lake.
Residents have been warned to keep pets and small children away from them.
I have to keep reminding myself of that ESPECIALLY on the weekends when I am working. Beginning to feel like a grumpy old man. As one of the rare natives (born here many decades ago, lived here my whole life) it boggles my mind how many people want to come here...but I guess that I see the place differently.
These look remarkbly simular to our plague of Cane Toads over here in Australia Introduced by some very thoughtfull fool to control pests in the Cane Fields, we knoiw very well what is the pest now!
Please Login or Register to post a comment.