Background Information
The Cane Toad was originally located in the northern regions of South America and most of Central America. These Cane Toads were then taken to Puerto Rico, and then to Hawaii. Eventually, about one hundred Cane Toads were taken to the north-eastern coast of Australia. The reason for the 'bringing in' of Cane Toads to Australia occurred in 1935, when Sugar Cane farmers were experiencing problems with two pests who were commonly known as 'Cane Beetles'. There were two main types of 'Cane Beetles' that were disturbing the Sugar Cane. These were known as the 'Greyback Cane Beetle' and the 'Frenchi Cane Beetle'. These beetles consumed the leaves of the Sugar Cane. This does not prove to be a problem, however, their larvae hatched underground, eating the roots of the Sugar Cane, which consequently killed or slowed down the growth of the Sugar Cane. Farmers in Hawaii had also experienced this problem, so they imported Cane Toads from the America's to 'consume' the beetles. This did work in Hawaii, although such success was not experienced in Australia. This occurred because the 'Cane Beetles' in Australia, reside at the 'top' of the Canes. Therefore, making it impossible for the Cane Toads to reach the Cane Beetles.
At this present moment, there are an estimated two hundred million Cane Toads now. This is tremendous since there were only one hundred a mere seventy eight years ago. And now, the Cane Toads move further west at about fifty kilometres a year. However, this is very understandable as a female Cane Toad can lay about thirty thousand eggs at a time, whereas native frogs can only lay about two thousand eggs at a time.
Below is a Choropleth Map that shows the distribution of the Cane Toad population in Australia. It is clear that they 'began their mission' on the east coast of Queensland, continuing to move west; the Kimberley, however, there is also slight movement towards the south of Australia; New South Wales.
At this present moment, there are an estimated two hundred million Cane Toads now. This is tremendous since there were only one hundred a mere seventy eight years ago. And now, the Cane Toads move further west at about fifty kilometres a year. However, this is very understandable as a female Cane Toad can lay about thirty thousand eggs at a time, whereas native frogs can only lay about two thousand eggs at a time.
Below is a Choropleth Map that shows the distribution of the Cane Toad population in Australia. It is clear that they 'began their mission' on the east coast of Queensland, continuing to move west; the Kimberley, however, there is also slight movement towards the south of Australia; New South Wales.