The sea toad (Bufo marinus), also known as the sugarcane toad, was introduced from the United States in Australia in order to control a local pest (Dermolepida albohirtum) that seriously affects sugarcane production.
Sea Toad (Image from Wikipedia)
It is said that 102 were introduced the first time and 62,000 directly in the second. However, after the introduction, sea toads cannot climb up the sugar cane to eat pests, and there are still so many pests. In addition to sugarcane pests, they eat small rodents, reptiles, other amphibians, birds, and a variety of invertebrates, as well as plants, dog food, and even human household garbage.
However, although Australia has the largest number of reptiles in the world, there are few species of reptiles that can prey on sea toads, and even after swallowing, they are poisoned by sea toad toxins. Birds and mammals are no exception. At present, only a few kinds of predators have been found to eat smaller toads that are not poisoned (large ones can not eat and are easy to eat)
Huge toxin glands behind sea toad glasses (image from Wikipedia)
With its super foodie nature and toxin blessing, the sea toad population quickly increased, spreading from the northeast corner to Western Australia. Worldwide, sea toads have also spread to Places such as Cuba and the Philippines.
Global distribution of sea toads, blue is a natural distribution, red areas are alien invasions (image from Wikipedia)
The spread of the sea toad is also related to its super reproductive ability, which can lay 8,000–25,000 eggs at a time. Eggs generally hatch within two days, and tadpole metamorphosis takes 14-60 days, usually 4 weeks. Like adults, tadpoles are toxic, but much less toxic than adults. Australia is currently taking advantage of the weak toxicity of tadpoles to control sea toad populations.
The video shoot is the breeding season of sea toads, the male frogs are hungry and thirsty, and when they encounter olive pythons, they quickly hug each other.