The toxins present in toads can be fatal to humans and even pets such as dogs and cats if it gets into the eyes or mouth. (Image credit: Shutterstock/Rep)
Cane toads release a milky-white venom from their skin known as bufotoxin when faced with danger.
The island nation of Taiwan is facing threats from a specific species of amphibian. The cane toad, scientifically known as Rhinella marina, is a highly venomous species of toad native to the Americas. The toxins present in toads can be fatal to humans and even pets such as dogs and cats if it gets into the eyes or mouth. Cane toads release a milky-white venom from their skin known as bufotoxin when faced with danger. The venom is released from the glands behind their eyes and is fatal to most animals.
Although toads are considered auspicious in Taiwanese culture, the danger to this particular species outweighs the benefit. According to a report by NBC News, volunteers from the Taiwan Amphibian Conservation Society worked by torch to collect the toads late last week and collected up to 300 of them.
The presence of the invasive toad in this area was first flagged by a local resident on a farm in a small town in Taiwan’s central mountain range. After researchers in Taiwan learned about a possible cane toad invasion, volunteers from the Taiwan Amphibian Conservation Society immediately came to the farm to investigate.
Cane toads are native to 14 countries but are found in more than 40 countries. They are also listed as one of the 100 Worst Invasive Species. The list is monitored by the Invasive Species Specialist Group, an international advisory body of scientists and policy experts.
Speaking to NBC News, volunteer Guava Tsai said they hope to reduce the impact brought on by invasive species by collecting them to protect their local species. Another volunteer from the Taiwan Amphibian Conservation Society, Fang Chen, told NBC News that if the cane toads spread across Taiwan, it would certainly be disastrous for Taiwan’s ecosystem. Rick Shine, a specialist in amphibians and reptiles at Macquarie University in Sydney, told the media website that many dogs have died due to toxins released by cane toads.
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