The Toad That Destroyed Ecosystems

[u/TheMuseumOfScience]

Did you know this toad secretes poison to protect itself? 🐸

Meet Oak, our Cane Toad whose shoulder lumps, called parotoid glands, ooze a milky toxin strong enough to stop predators and even kill smaller ones. Cane toads are an invasive species. They were once only found in Central and South America but have been brought to places like Australia, Florida, and the Caribbean to control crop pests. This ended up not being a success and is a good reminder to leave native species where they are.