pundit
01-28-2006, 08:14 PM
The "cane toad" (Bufo marinus) is a creature that was introduced to Australia to try to curb the problem of cane beetles eating sugar cane crops. Ironically they had no effect in controlling the cane beetle instead they quickly multiplied out of control. To counter the cane-toad problem the Australian people (especially Queenslanders) have tried to kill cane toads in creative ways - it hasn't been enough.
http://www.cane-toad.com/images/gallery/dazza600x300.jpg
"My name's 'Daz'... but me mates call me 'Dazza'!"
Cane toads are survivors for a few reasons.
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
1. They have two glands on the side of their heads filled with highly toxic venom. Domestic dogs can die within 15 minutes of eating a toad. Their poison can squirt into the eye of an attacker and cause severe eye discomfort.
2. Cane Toads are tough, some toads left squashed with their guts hanging out of their bodies have been known to slowly re swallow their innards and hop away.
3. The toads can eat almost anything. They can even eat the local wildlife like small marsupials and mice. They are also successful breeders; females can lay a massive 40 thousand eggs each at a time.
MUTILATION AND DEATH!
Cane toads get killed by Aussies in all sorts of ways including:
1. Smacking them with golf clubs, cricket bats, picks, pitch forks, cattle prods or axes.
2. Freezing them in the freezer (regarded as the most humane method).
3. Running over them in cars, bikes, lawn mowers or semi trailers.
4. Pouring Detol disinfectant on them (burns their skin)
5. Pouring kerosene/petrol on them and then lighting them on fire.
6. Stuffing them full of firecrackers and then blowing them to smithereens.
Almost every Queenslander has had the experience of mutilating some poor cane toad in bizarre ways as mentioned above. Unfortunately there are no effective measures for eradicating toads on a population level - cane toad numbers continue to grow.
CANE TOAD SOUVENIRS
Some inventive Queenslanders have found a way to cash in on the plague of toads. Cane toad skins can be tanned to produce high quality exotic leather that is used as material on fashion articles such as wallets, handbags and key chains. Dead dried toads are stuffed and sold as humorous figurines including ballerinas, drag queens and Aussie yobbos.
Despite the masses of Australians who despise the cane toad a few locals have taken a liking to the ugly creatures. Some toads are loved as backyard pets, others are considered as part of the family.
To find out more download the movie (http://www.cane-toad.com/movies/Cane-toad_divx_720x576.avi) :D
Courtesy of www.cane-toad.com
http://www.cane-toad.com/images/gallery/dazza600x300.jpg
"My name's 'Daz'... but me mates call me 'Dazza'!"
Cane toads are survivors for a few reasons.
SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
1. They have two glands on the side of their heads filled with highly toxic venom. Domestic dogs can die within 15 minutes of eating a toad. Their poison can squirt into the eye of an attacker and cause severe eye discomfort.
2. Cane Toads are tough, some toads left squashed with their guts hanging out of their bodies have been known to slowly re swallow their innards and hop away.
3. The toads can eat almost anything. They can even eat the local wildlife like small marsupials and mice. They are also successful breeders; females can lay a massive 40 thousand eggs each at a time.
MUTILATION AND DEATH!
Cane toads get killed by Aussies in all sorts of ways including:
1. Smacking them with golf clubs, cricket bats, picks, pitch forks, cattle prods or axes.
2. Freezing them in the freezer (regarded as the most humane method).
3. Running over them in cars, bikes, lawn mowers or semi trailers.
4. Pouring Detol disinfectant on them (burns their skin)
5. Pouring kerosene/petrol on them and then lighting them on fire.
6. Stuffing them full of firecrackers and then blowing them to smithereens.
Almost every Queenslander has had the experience of mutilating some poor cane toad in bizarre ways as mentioned above. Unfortunately there are no effective measures for eradicating toads on a population level - cane toad numbers continue to grow.
CANE TOAD SOUVENIRS
Some inventive Queenslanders have found a way to cash in on the plague of toads. Cane toad skins can be tanned to produce high quality exotic leather that is used as material on fashion articles such as wallets, handbags and key chains. Dead dried toads are stuffed and sold as humorous figurines including ballerinas, drag queens and Aussie yobbos.
Despite the masses of Australians who despise the cane toad a few locals have taken a liking to the ugly creatures. Some toads are loved as backyard pets, others are considered as part of the family.
To find out more download the movie (http://www.cane-toad.com/movies/Cane-toad_divx_720x576.avi) :D
Courtesy of www.cane-toad.com