Encyclopaedia
AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Cane Toad
Rhinella marina
Cane toad. One of the largest amphibian species in the world, famous for its extreme hardiness, voracious appetite, and highly invasive nature. Highly toxic due to cardiotoxic bufotoxins secreted by its large parotoid glands.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Bufonidae
Genus:Rhinella
Species:Rhinella marina
Share
Check out Cane Toad on Atlarium
Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
22 - 28 °C
Night temperature
18 - 22 °C
Ambient temperature
22 - 28 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 150 L
UVB
None
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Central and South America, ranging from southern Texas to the Amazon basin. It was widely introduced by humans to Australia, Florida, Hawaii, and the Caribbean to control agricultural pests, becoming a highly destructive invasive species. It adapts to forests, grasslands, suburban gardens, and urban areas.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A massive, heavily built toad. Females are colossal, reaching over 20-25 cm in length and up to 2 kg in weight. The skin is dry, thick, and covered in warts, with greyish-brown or olive coloration. Features prominent, triangular parotoid glands behind the eyes that secrete a milky, toxic fluid.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal, terrestrial, and bold. It wanders openly in search of food. Possesses a legendary appetite, attempting to consume anything that fits into its wide jaws, including large insects, small mammals, and even pet food.
Morphology: Females are significantly larger, heavier, and rounder than males. Males are smaller (around 10-15 cm) and have rougher skin with darker throat color during the breeding season.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a very large, heavy terrestrial enclosure (minimum 100x50 cm for an adult). Substrate should consist of 15-20 cm of organic coco fiber or topsoil to allow burrowing. Provide heavy cork bark caves and a large, heavy water bowl that cannot be easily tipped over.
Lighting and Heating: Keep temperatures between 24°C and 26°C during the day, with a night drop to 20°C. Avoid intense lighting; bland, shaded illumination is preferred. They are extremely hardy and tolerate minor temperature fluctuations well.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain moderate humidity levels (60-70%). The substrate should be damp but not waterlogged. Water must be changed daily, as they produce massive amounts of waste that can cause fatal self-poisoning if substrate hygiene is neglected.
Feeding and Supplementation: Voracious generalists. Feed roaches, earthworms, locusts, and occasional thawed mice (mice should be fed sparingly to prevent obesity). Use long tongs to feed them to avoid painful bites. Dust prey with calcium and D3 regularly.
Compatibility: Can be housed with other cane toads of identical size. Any smaller tankmate will be immediately swallowed. Keep separately or in same-size groups.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly susceptible to obesity, fatty liver disease, and toxic shock from dirty substrate. When stressed or grabbed roughly, they secrete highly toxic bufotoxins from their parotoid glands. Wear gloves when handling and keep away from domestic pets.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to Central and South America, ranging from southern Texas to the Amazon basin. It was widely introduced by humans to Australia, Florida, Hawaii, and the Caribbean to control agricultural pests, becoming a highly destructive invasive species. It adapts to forests, grasslands, suburban gardens, and urban areas.
Origin
Cosmopolitan or introducedAmazon, Orinoco, and GuianasCentral America and CaribbeanNorth AmericaAfrica and MadagascarSouth and Southeast AsiaAustralia, New Guinea, and OceaniaTropical oceans and reefs
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 24.1 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 24.1 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 24.1 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
