Long a problem in Australia, invasive cane toads are now threatening the ecology of the Caribbean islands. Cane toads have toxin producing glands in their skin, which can sicken or even kill potential predators that try to eat them. The proliferating toads have thus caused a decline in native wildlife in Australia.   Cane toads were introduced into the Caribbean, including Jamaica, in 1844, and soon thereafter into the South Pacific to control and eat pests of sugar cane, such as rats and insects.  Now scientists have–for the first time–documented the loss of individuals of a threatened species outside of Australia due to cane toad poisoning.  Dr. Byron Wilson and his colleagues from the University of  Jamaica have documented the deaths of numerous individuals of the Jamaican boa, Epicrates subflavus, the large constricting snakes that are native to the island.  The snake is already rare, its continued existence being threatened by introduced dogs and pigs.  Researchers now fear that the toads could pose a new and significant threat the the boa’s existance across its range.  Dr. Wilson and the other authors remarked: “Although cane toads have been present on Jamaica for more than 160 years, it is clear from our observations that Jamaican boas have not yet learnt to avoid this toxic prey species. “  Control or eradication of the toad and other introduced species may be the only hope for this native snake, Jamaica’s top terrestrial predator.

Michael Hutchins Reptiles, invasive species, wildlife conservation