Australia's cane toads are on the move. They are becoming one of the biggest threat to species diversification in Australia. And the new victim is a miniature crocodile.
Scientists studying the toad have found that in the upstream areas where they live, there is a significant decline in the number of the freshwater miniature crocodile.
It appears that the decline is caused by a food shortage, and that led the small crocodiles to start eating the toxic toad.
If the toad is not stopped the pygmy crocodiles could all but disappear very soon.
The toads are already responsible for killing other freshwater crocodile, but now it seems the pygmy population is most affected by the toad's relentless march.
The toads are advancing at a significant pace. They are moving at a rate of 31 miles per year across the northern Australian territory.
The poisonous toad are another example of mistaken introduction into a pristine habitat of a non native species. They were brought from Hawaii to Australia in the 1930s to control the scarab beetle population. Needless to say, the introduction has wreaked havoc in many areas. The animal has few predators.
The only positive sign, is that there seems to be a certain degree of adaptation from some crocodilian species in that they are observed to either be staying away from the toad, or to only eat the hind legs, which are free from the poison.
Source : FRance 24/ 7.3.13
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