We came across one female and we could hear several males in the distance." The natural rate of spread of the cane toad is now 30-50 km/year in the Northern Territory and about 5 km/year in northern New South Wales. Finally, because their diet is so variable, they do not need to expend much energy searching for food. They can just sit in a convenient spot, and gobble up anything that wanders by. In urban areas, they are often seen gathered around street lamps eating insects attracted by the lightDefense One of the most important factors in the success of the cane toad is that they are highly poisonous to eat, at every stage of their life cycle. All frogs and toads may have enlarged chemical-secreting glands at particular points on their bodies, or small glands spread over the whole skin. The cane toad is one such amphibian. These secrete white venom when the animal is handled or threatened. The eggs and tadpoles are also poisonous and can cause cardiac arrest and death. A cane toad's reaction to a threat is to turn side-on to its attacker so that the venom glands face them. The glands on the cane toad's shoulders are also capable of oozing venom or even squirting it over a distance of up to 2m. Animals picking up a cane toad and receiving a dose of venom may die within fifteen minutes. This venom is composed mainly of cardioactive (affecting the heart) substances. The biggest danger to humans is that the venom could come in contact with the eyes, where it causes intense pain and temporary blindness. Under pressure cane toads can shoot their venom a short distance. This substance may be splashed into a person's mouth or eyes as they attempt to kill the toad. Since the poison can be absorbed into the system through mucus membranes, without ever being swallowed. Therefore, the mouth, eyes, and nose should always be rinsed thoroughly if contact with venom occurs. Experiments and observations indicate that a variety of nati...
