Recently, Australia has seen an infestation of toads, one of the most disgusting invasive alien species Australia has ever seen. Since toads have no natural predators in Australia, the population has become overpopulated.
It is reported that all crocodiles in Australia are defeated by toads, and large areas of crocodiles have been poisoned to death. Even Australian snakes are snacks for toads. At present, the number of toads in Australia has seriously damaged the local ecological balance. What species is the Australian toad? Why don't humans eliminate them?
The cane toad, an Australian invasive species, is the world's largest toad, weighing over 5 kilograms.
The cane toad is also known as the " cane toad" and is known as the world's largest toad. The toad is native to Central and South America. It mainly feeds on small insects and reptiles, and occasionally eats some small birds or plants.
It is reported that the body length of the cane toad is 15cm~17cm, and the maximum length can be 25cm. The Guinness World Records cane toad can weigh up to 2.65kg (about 5.3kg) and be 38cm in length.
However, the cane toad is not a friendly creature and is not afraid of almost any carnivore. This is mainly because the cane toad is a poisonous creature. The glands in its skin can produce highly toxic substances. When in danger, the cane toad will spray out venom to attack the opponent.
It is reported that the venom of the cane toad is white in color, and there are very large parotid glands on the back of the body and behind the eyes. Its venom can also kill many animals. Even crocodiles with rough skin and thick flesh are no match for its venom. If a person is attacked by a cane toad, minor injuries may result in inflammation, but severe injuries can lead to death.
The cane toad does not have high requirements for the living environment and has little to do with the sea and water. It is an out-and-out terrestrial animal, but it will breed near the water when it breeds. The tadpoles it breeds can survive in seawater with a concentration of 15% salinity. Therefore, there are many water environments suitable for the cane toad to survive.
Secondly, cane toads do not have high temperature requirements, and can change according to the environmental temperature of their distribution area. It is reported that the highest temperature in which cane toads live can reach 40 to 42 degrees Celsius, and the lowest temperature can be 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.
Finally, the cane toad’s habitat is mainly in open and vast grasslands and woodlands, especially in artificially modified places, such as gardens and drainage ditches.
Comprehensive analysis, whether it is the living environment, temperature, or habitat, it is understandable that cane toads appear in Australia and become a disaster.
Why don’t humans eliminate cane toads?
Cane toads have no natural enemies in Australia and have strong reproductive capabilities. Female cane toads can lay about 8,000-30,000 eggs at a time and can reproduce all year round, which leads to crazy growth in their biological population.
According to statistics, in the 1960s, cane toads expanded at a rate of 10 kilometers per year. By the end of the 20th century, the expansion rate had reached more than 50 kilometers per year. Biologists estimate that the number of cane toads in Australia has reached 1.5 billion. Why doesn't Australia eliminate it?
Regarding the issue of the proliferation of invasive species, I believe this is also a very troublesome problem for various countries, because the proliferation of invasive species will eventually lead to ecological imbalance. Australia is also aware of this. There are many ways to eliminate cane toads, such as manual capture, military encirclement and suppression, concentrated hunting, car crushing, etc.
During the implementation of various management methods, the management of cane toads has been opposed by local people, calling them "inhumane methods." It is mainly restricted by local culture, which results in the management of cane toads failing to achieve the expected results.
And the life span of cane toads is very long. In normal wild conditions, cane toads can live up to 15 years old, and in captivity they can live up to 35 years old. Therefore, the number of cane toads will increase under the protection of Australian people.
Summary
The proliferation of cane toads in Australia has greatly restricted the local ecology. Rather than controlling it, it is better to maximize its scientific value. Driven by profits, people have greater motivation to capture more cane toads.
