| The Cane Toad is the only species of frog that has | | | | clear see-through tailfin, but the rest of their body is |
| been introduced into Australia. There are over 216 | | | | black. The toadpole grows no bigger than 30mm |
| frogs native to Australia. In Darwin and surrounding | | | | before changing into a toad. The toadpoles prefer to |
| areas in the Northern Territory, there have been 25 | | | | sit in full sun during the hottest part of the day; will |
| species of frogs found and listed. Many of these | | | | swish their tails quickly when not swimming forward, |
| resemble toads in colour, as not all frogs are green. | | | | and swim in schools along the shallow edges of the |
| 1. CANE TOADS have very wart like skin on their | | | | water. |
| backs and are granular on their stomachs. The skin | | | | FROG tadpoles are not poisonous, and therefore, are |
| colour is reddish-brown, or olive-brown, or grey, with | | | | eaten by predators, such as fish, diving beetles and |
| rarely any type of marked pattern. Their skin is | | | | birds. The tadpoles like to hide on the bottom of the |
| bumpy and leathery. Their eyes are at the sides of | | | | water under weeds. |
| their heads. They prefer dry conditions, but will go in | | | | 5. CANE TOADS are carnivores and also eat insects |
| water to lay eggs or find food. | | | | and anything small enough for them to swallow. |
| FROGS have soft, smooth skin that hangs in folds. | | | | Native ground nesting birds, such as the Rainbow |
| They absorb water through their skin and breathe | | | | Bee-eaters and their eggs, are in danger from the |
| through their skin. This means they absorb pollutants | | | | toads. Toads also love dog food. |
| from the environment, so are good to have around. | | | | FROGS are also carnivores, and may eat other small |
| They range in colours from bright green, dark green, | | | | frogs, lizards and small mammals, but climb up to |
| brown, and black. Frogs have three eyelid | | | | outside lights to eat insects. |
| membranes to protect their eyes underwater. Their | | | | 6. CANE TOADS are a ground dwelling predacious |
| eyes are on top of their heads. Frogs prefer wet, | | | | species and cannot climb anything. They cannot jump |
| moist conditions. | | | | high, either. They prefer open areas to hunt and like |
| 2. THE CANE TOAD is very toxic to most animals | | | | lots of lights, old rubbish, drains, and man-made stuff. |
| that try to devour them. Research has proven now | | | | They use their eye sight to detect movement when |
| that the crow will kill the toad by turning it over with | | | | hunting. |
| its beak,then eat them. Recently, in 2009, it has been | | | | FROGS jump high and climb up walls and trees, using |
| found that Meat ants are able to kill the Cane Toad. | | | | their toe pads for friction. Some frogs are ground |
| The Australian native rat will kill them but only eat | | | | dwelling. |
| the legs. | | | | 7. CANE TOADS have horizontal pupils and have a |
| FROGS are not venomous, so unfortunately, any | | | | bony ridge (rostrum) across the eye to the snout. |
| animal or reptile can eat them. They are eaten by | | | | FROGS have eyes on the top of their heads. They |
| snakes, goannas, and large birds. | | | | are usually protruding. |
| 3. CANE TOAD'S eggs are different to frog's eggs. | | | | 8. CANE TOADS have partial webbing between their |
| They are laid in long strings which are continuous and | | | | toes. They cannot hop high, but can run, especially |
| generally over one metre long. The small black eggs | | | | when being chased. |
| are held in with a jelly substance. The eggs are laid in | | | | FROGS have full webbed feet which help them to |
| shallow waters and usually amongst sticks and | | | | swim and move in the water. Some frogs have |
| vegetation. They can be pulled out in one long string | | | | suction pads on their toes to help them cling to |
| and disposed of in the sun before they hatch. | | | | anything. Because they have long back legs that are |
| FROG'S eggs are laid in a foamy clump in water. Most | | | | very strong, they get about by hopping. |
| of our native frogs lay eggs in clumps, others lay | | | | When you visit Darwin in the Northern Territory, |
| individually. None of the native frogs lay in long strings. | | | | spend some time at night looking for these frogs. It |
| 4. THE CANE TOAD tadpoles are also poisonous to | | | | is best not to handle these creatures, as it can harm |
| wildlife that might eat them. The young tadpoles do | | | | their skin. Do not handle the toad without a plastic |
| not develop their full poison until they are about | | | | bag or gloves on your hands, as they do have |
| 30mm in length. They place birds and any other | | | | poisonous skin. |
| animal or fish in danger if eaten. The tadpoles have a | | | | |