The story of the cane toad (Bufo marinus) in Australia, is a sad tale of biological control gone very wrong. One of the most disheartening aspects of the warty invasion is that most native animals find cane toads lethally poisonous. Of course no toad causes warts, but cane toads look like they have a bad case of them!
Today I heard something cheering though, an unassuming waterloving native snake, the Keelback (Tropidonophis mairii) can munch on cane toads like a delicious meaty snack. The Keelback lives from south eastern Queensland to The Top End of the Northern Territory, so I hope this rainbow serpent protects Kakadu. Go Keelbacks!
... I've always found those change purses that are made out of dried squished cane toads rather fetching... the ones with a zipper/clasp sewn into their mouths. Providing a helping hand to the ecosystem but also a handy receptacle for loose coinage... genius.
Posted by: Kat | 26 October 2006 at 18:57
Giggles ... I haven't seen one of those around for ages! I must head to one of the homes of all kitch Australiana to see if they still exist ~ the Rocks or Paddy's Markets @ Flemington :-)
Posted by: aussiebiostuff | 28 October 2006 at 13:48
I just had a brainwave though, I think we do have a stuffed, shellacked cane toad upstairs somewhere. Woo hoo ... treasure hunting for a bizarre photo to go with my praise of Keelbacks.
Posted by: aussiebiostuff | 28 October 2006 at 13:49