Cane toads, tadpoles explode in Smithfield, Cairns

Toads are exploding in Cairns as experts warns FNQ to brace for an increase in numbers as they come out of hiding.

Toads are exploding in Cairns as experts warn to expect an increase in numbers as they come out of hiding.

According to Professor Lin Schwarzkopf, head of Zoology and Ecology at James Cook University Townsville, cane toads are around “all the time” but during winter stay hidden.

“They are ectotherms, cold blooded animals,” Prof Schwarzkopf said.

“They don’t need much food, have low metabolic rates, and can hide under a log for a very long time, without eating or doing anything else in the cooler months, only coming out for water occasionally.”

Prof Schwarzkopf said the summer heat and incessant rainfall has provided ideal breeding ground.

Thousands of tadpoles have hatched and left low lying water around Smithfield to form tiny little cane toads. Picture: Brendan Radke

“They were introduced to try and control two kinds of pests of cane which were both beetles but pesticide worked better and everyone forgot about cane toads,” Prof Schwarzkopf said.

The small, black-brown amphibians are considered pests in Australia, with high breeding success in years when its warm and wet.

“They are a biodiversity pest as they can become very numerous and have bad effects on our native frogs because then they take up all the space and eat all the bugs that our native frogs would otherwise eat,” Prof Schwarzkopf said.

“Dogs and cats to some extent can be poisoned by them if they try and eat them or play with them.”

Thousands of tadpoles have hatched and left low-lying water around Smithfield to form big cane toads in waiting. Picture: Brendan Radke

Tossing toads in the fridge and freezer has been a popular method of getting rid of the pests.

Sophisticated traps or releasing carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide with an exhaust on the creature are often not viable options for the common person.

“Tadpole killing is not as effective as adults because there's just so many billions of them so it’s hard to make a dent,” Prof Schwarzkopf said.

“With an adult, you’d be killing 30,000 eggs – if you get a female – all at once.”

The most effective method to exterminate them was a can of Hopstop, according to a Bunnings spokesman, who said “it works quick and easy” killing them in about 30 seconds.

When it comes to handling the toads, Prof Schwarzkopf says they can be picked up and put in a bucket as long as hands are washed after.

“They are toxic, but it takes a lot to secrete their toxin,” Prof Schwarzkopf said.

“You shouldn’t whack them on the head because then you can hit the poison glands, that can spray out and that is not safe.”

Originally published as Cane toads, tadpoles explode in Smithfield, Cairns