Media Release
20 February 2011
Media Release
19 February 2011
Caution Needed on 10 000 Toads Project
Maroochy Waterwatch is calling for caution from residents who are wanting to be involved in councils 10 000 Toads Project on March 18.
Whilst the aim is to collect and kill 10 000 toads on the night, local frogs could also be at risk if people don’t know how to correctly identify the difference between certain species of frogs and toads.
Cerran Fawns from Maroochy Waterwatch says, “We have a number of frog species that are easily confused with toads and a couple of those species are listed as endangered or vulnerable”.
The Giant Barred Frog was thought to be locally extinct but it has been found in the area during recent frog surveys.
She says, ”The Giant Barred Frog is big and brown like a cane toad but it has golden eyes which makes it easy it distinguish the difference”.
The Tusked Frog is fairly common in the area even though listed as vulnerable. It can look very similar to the cane toad as it has a ‘bumpy’ texture.
“We don’t need people collecting and killing frogs on the night. They are already under extreme pressure from development, poor water quality, a killing fungus and the competition from toads ”, she added.
There has been a bumper breeding season of both frogs and toads with the wet season and people need to know the difference between them.
She also added, ”The local wildlife are adapting to the cane toads. Crows will turn the cane toads upside down and eat them and avoid the poison. Some snakes are also able to eat them”.
Sometimes cane toads do get their revenge though. A cane toad has been seen eating a keel back snake.
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