O Jo's Wild Ride

Toad Licking

The cane toad or giant toad (Bufo marinus) is an amphibian, native to Central and South America. They have been introduced throughout the world as a biological control for insect pests of agriculture, most notably sugar cane. A consignment of cane toads from Hawaii was released into Queensland cane fields in 1935.

The introduction was surrounded by controversy as to the potential costs and benefits to Australia. It was hoped that the toad would control Frenchi and Greyback beetles, pests of economic importance to the sugar cane industry. By 1941, however, it had become evident that the cane toad was exerting only limited control over its intended prey.

It is thought that their venomous secretions hold hallucinogenic powers. The main component of the white secretion is bufotenine which is more toxic than hallucinogenic (many tribes still use the venom to kill their dinner via blowdarts). Shamanic rituals seem to center more around the smoking of one component 5-MeO-DMT, which is a known hallucinogen.

My own limited studies have suggested that oral ingestion of the Cane Toad's watery secretions when it has taken the form of a bath toy may result in uncontrollable babbling, splashing and giggling.

Many thanks to Her Majesty's Government of Queensland, which unwittingly provided most of my copy for this entry.
If you need help regarding Injured or ‘lost’ frogs, you may contact the following authorities:
Brisbane Forest Park 07 3300 4855
Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland 07 3221 0194
Queensland Museum 07 3840 7555