National park rangers have found a monster cane toad nicknamed ‘Toadzilla’ near Airlie Beach in Queensland’s north.
The 2.7kg amphibian was spotted in Conway National Park after rangers had stopped their vehicle because of a snake slithering across the track.
ranger Kylee Gray said she reached down and grabbed the cane toad and couldn’t believe how big and heavy it was.
“We dubbed it Toadzilla, and quickly put it into a container so we could remove it from the wild,” she said. “A cane toad that size will eat anything it can fit into its mouth, and that includes insects, reptiles and small mammals.”
This giant cane toad may be record size. PIC: Department of Environment and Science
The toad is believed to be female as female cane toads do grow bigger than males.
“She was found at an elevation of 393m, which isn’t unusual, but she has created a lot of interest among our ranger staff due to her size,” sid Ms Gray. “I’m not sure how old she is, but cane toads can live up to 15 years in the wild – so this one has been around a long time … we’re pleased to have removed her from the national park.”
The Queensland Museum is apparently interested in taking the giant cane toad, which may be the largest on record.”
Cane toad fast facts (Department of Environment and Science)
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It’s a big bugger…!
They’re been unsuccessful at controlling the spread or eradicating the cane toad…
I reckon the toad will eventually spread and adapt to all areas of Australia..except maybe the middle of the Simpson Desert.
When they start hopping around the steps of Parliament House and swimming in Lake Burley Griffin the politicians will finally realise they ARE a real problem…
The Politicians ARE the problem or the Cane Toads ?
The subject on discussion is CANE TOADS…!
Cane toads were huge like that back in the 1950s. I have fond memories of being a patient in an ambulance travelling from Airlie Beach to Proserpine hospital listening to the ambulance crew describe the cane toads as sitting a foot high in the middle of the road as they drove over them. I managed to take a look at them myself and yes, they were huge.