Southern Toad?

9 years ago

Vero Beach, Florida

Its back is kinda dirty(sandy) due to my pulling weeds.

From Googling, I'm pretty certain it's a Southern Toad but would like to verify because I have a dog and Cane Toads have been found in the area recently.

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Comments (2)

User
9 years ago
That is a Southern Toad.

The threat that Cane Toads represent to most dogs is exaggerated in the press. Yes, if a dog was stupid enough to try and eat one, or not leave one alone when it got a mouthful of their skin secretions, it is possible that it could be poisoned by it. But your dog would have to be pretty dumb to keep playing with something that tasted that bad. Most dogs get a lick and learn to avoid them in the future.

Cane Toads are native to southern Texas, Mexico and Central America and I've never heard of a dog being poisoned by one in this area. Most pet owners don't even think about it. Yet in areas where they are introduced (Florida, Hawaii, Australia) people seem to have this fear of them? Never made sense to me.

It is also worth remembering that all toads (and many frogs) produce toxic skin secretions that can be toxic to dogs. Of course, so can many plants. Dogs learn to avoid these things.
danetherton
9 years ago
Like chris said, but it is necessary to understand that ALL toads have venomous skin gland secretions. Any toad or, as he said, some frogs (I don't know of any venomous frogs in FL, not sure) have skin venom, and can make a pet sick. So, the Southern can make your dog sick if eaten or played with, so Barney will maybe have to learn. You will need to understand the drill if he gets into a toad, any toad.

You will not get rid of Cane Toads; wherever introduced, they are there to stay. They do actually make good pets, and grow huge and live a long time. I would love to have one...

I have included a link below to help if your puppy gets after a toad.

Here is a link that might be useful: FL Extension
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I did get your link to work, just had to search from the main page. I do have some goldfish in the pond and probably will have more after this spring. Started off with 2 and now have 20 so will give some to a local pet shop probably and give some to friends. I love the toads and my one "pet" frog that made residence. The kids from the neighborhood love watching the cycle of life from mating, eggs, tadpoles, all the way to adults and some of the babies you can even regognize to adulthood by their odd coloring every now and then. Those ones get names. I'm so excited for my first sets of the southern leopard eggs though. We have parrotfeather, hornwart apleanty and iris for the bog and 2 lilly plants and add water hyacinth in the summer. Probably will add in a couple weeks because don't do well if added to early. BTW--The toads do use the lillies, especially the babies during their inbetween stages. We'll often find them still with pointy tails on the pads. We also keep various other plants in the bog that "feeds" down to the pond, usually canna, elephant ear or impatience.
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I became more reconciled (don't like doing it, but follow the recommended method) about killing the marine toad after hitting this U of FL site which states they're omniverous and (like CTF) eat small toads, frogs, lizards, small mammals and snakes, over and above having the ability to kill curious dogs and cats. The one good thing about Marine Toads is that I truly suspect they kill small CTF's, but if they're equally destructive to natives that eliminates their one possible attribute. The Marine Toad that nailed my dog (who survived) was a small one who had made it onto our screened back porch. I haven't killed any small toads, initially because they were too darned fast, then because Marcia alerted me to making really sure I didn't kill a native bufo toad. Once the Marine Toad is more mature, there is no mistaking the huge ugly glands that secrete poison that run down their sides, originating at "cheek" level. I don't see that gland on your "cute guys" Anna. By the way, for pet lovers: our local vets do not recommend treating exposure the same way that the U FL website does (hose their mouth while keeping the pet's head down). Locals suggest wetting towels and swabbing the foam continuously so that your beloved 4 legged friend doesn't injest any of the poison. It worked for us. Hope you never have to experience it: it is positively frightful. Marilyn Here is a link that might be useful: Marine Toad Info
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Southern Toad?

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danetherton

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