Marine (Cane) Toads and Cuban Treefrogs-Invasive Demons?

Описание: As Florida's natural habitats are destroyed, native species struggle to reinvade and adapt to highly altered landscapes. In the absence of native species, nonnative species that thrive in modified habitats invade and fill ecological niches on golf courses, on the walls of buildings, on the banks of canals, and in retention ponds. Invasive species are villified and garner funding for eradication while native species receive very little help.

The Marine toad (or Cane toad) and Cuban treefrog are two of the most successful amphibian invaders of the peninsula of Florida. In their zeal to eradicate invasives, FWC and University of Florida have called for the killing of these amphibians. Unfortunately, members of the public are often unable to identify frogs correctly and are ill-equipped to euthanize animals humanely. This undoubtedly leads to the cruel deaths of many amphibians, even native ones. The killing of Marine toads or Cuban treefrogs by activist citizens is unlikely to have any significant impact on populations, as both of these species are so successful and breed in such large numbers that even massive roadkill numbers do little to impact the populations. Luckily, no native species have been extirpated by these invaders. The balance has just changed.

Technical information by Daniel Parker