Source: Love Nature
Experts say poison toads are returning to South Florida in increasing numbers as the region falls into the warm, summer months, and they want people to be aware of the risk to pets.
The bufo toad, also known as the cane, is a common summer sight in South Florida, but experts in the area believe the species is making a comeback in greater numbers than in previous years.
Jeannine Tilford, owner of local toad management company Toad Busters, says climate change has affected bufo populations in the area.
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Tilford told ABC News that while the area’s temperatures don’t drop as consistently as they usually do in the winter months, toads that are often too weak or unable to survive the previous winter may survive this spring.
A major component of Toad Busters’ job is to move toads to habitats where we don’t pose a danger to other animals, especially dogs, where we could be killed by abduction or eat toad meat.
Tilford explained that the organization has expanded westward in Florida, and established more habitats with suitable zones and containment.
Tilford says the large numbers of people migrating from states like California, New York and New Jersey to Florida have added to the dog deaths from poison toads.
“We’ve had a lot more dog deaths this year,” says Tilford. “People don’t know about toads, let their dogs out in the yard and it’s only a few minutes.”
Tilford says the best thing for new residents is education.
“They need to understand what I have here, what [toads] look like and what to do if you have a dog and a backyard,” she said.
Tilford told ABC News that people shouldn’t let their dogs out in the backyard, especially at night, because people are nocturnal.
She added that if the dog comes into contact with toads, immediately wipe the dog with a wet rag and take the dog to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.
If there’s a bufo in the neighborhood, Tilford said homeowners should contact them to get them out of the area and they should install a fence. Although they are not lethal, they can cause skin and eye application and should not be handled without hands.
According to the Florida Book of Conservation and Wildlife, bufo toads can be found in urban, suburban, and agricultural areas, most commonly in yards, around buildings, or near canals and ponds lake.
The list adds that bufo toads breed year-round in standing water, canals, canals, and ditches.
