Now I don't mean to nit pick [it won't stop me, I just don't mean to]. But there I was, aimlessly searching the net and an article on Nat geo's web site titled 'Cane Toads - the Facts' caught my eye and so I had a bit of a read.
Well bugger me.
National Geographic had made a few mistakes ... now before we go on, I'd like to point out that I LIKE Nat Geo - National Geographic helped me get through puberty, not to mention entertaining me through endless hours in waiting rooms and hotel lobbys over the years.
So I don't want to be overly critical, [again, this may not stop me...].
The fact remains however, that National Geographic is a big deal. I don't know how many people work for them, but we can safely assume it's more people than work at your blog. It also stands to reason that some of those people will have degrees in things ... like biology.
And what of the vast resources at their disposal when it comes to research and fact checking?.
Yet with all this, they somehow managed to get some fundamentals in their article completely wrong.
So before any budding herpetologists, or for that matter, fully blossomed one's are completely misinformed - here's the low down on Cane Toads:
Cane Toads are NOT venomous, as Nat Geo claims. They are in fact poisonous - AHA! I hear you cry NIT PICKING!. Well, no - it's an important distinction and to keep it as simple as possible here's a good rule of thumb. Venom is generally something that is injected into the victim, poison on the other hand is normally ingested [yes, it can get a bit grey at times, but trust me, Cane Toads do not envenomate, they poison with Bufo Toxin released from their Parotoid Glands].
The post also asserts that Cane Toads eat pet food [I've heard this one before actually, and even 'reports' that they also chow down on animal/human excrement!].
Again, this isn't quite right. Cane Toads will indeed consume pet food and other material, but this is incidental to them attempting to eat the insects that are ACTUALLY feeding on the pet food etc ... [really, do I get an award for that observation - no? ah well ...].
And finally, but probably most astonishingly - there is the claim that 3000! Cane Toads were released here, [N.QLD] in 1935, when the actual figure is closer to 100 animals.
So there you have it - hopefully this helps someone, somewhere in their quest for Toady knowledge ...
If you want to find out a little more - click the label ... appropriately, if slightly unimaginatively marked 'Cane Toads' over there --> in the side bar or below this post ...
lol, if you look hard enough no doubt you'll find a few mistakes I've made also, but then I don't have my own Cable T.V channel ...
Enjoy ya day :)
Boyds Forest Dragon
These handsome fellows are endemic to TNQ and can often be seen clinging to trees in the rainforest as they hunt their insect prey and the males defend their turf from rivals.
Boyds grow to around 350mm - 450mm in total length with males displaying beautiful colours around their heads and throats during the breeding season. These guys are not too difficult to find and with some careful [and quiet] scanning of rainforest trees it's sometimes surprising just how many can be spotted in the warmer/wetter months of the year.
During the 'dry' season [winter] however, Boyds [like the Green Tree Python], will typically head for the canopy and thus are virtually impossible to spot.
Boyds, along with other dragons such as the frill necked lizard, have the endearing, if slightly infuriating habit of sidling round trees on approach attempting to 'hide' from your gaze, but with some patience and stillness they will soon forget your presence and get back to hunting. Often with some incredible feats of agility.
All in all a fantastic little animal, but sadly they are often the victim of predation by cats and perhaps even more worryingly - may be at risk from climate change.
I for one would be extremely sad to no longer have their company in the bush ...
Have an excellent day :).
Boyds grow to around 350mm - 450mm in total length with males displaying beautiful colours around their heads and throats during the breeding season. These guys are not too difficult to find and with some careful [and quiet] scanning of rainforest trees it's sometimes surprising just how many can be spotted in the warmer/wetter months of the year.
During the 'dry' season [winter] however, Boyds [like the Green Tree Python], will typically head for the canopy and thus are virtually impossible to spot.
Boyds, along with other dragons such as the frill necked lizard, have the endearing, if slightly infuriating habit of sidling round trees on approach attempting to 'hide' from your gaze, but with some patience and stillness they will soon forget your presence and get back to hunting. Often with some incredible feats of agility.
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| Hypsilurus boydii |
All in all a fantastic little animal, but sadly they are often the victim of predation by cats and perhaps even more worryingly - may be at risk from climate change.
I for one would be extremely sad to no longer have their company in the bush ...
If you'd like to learn a little more about the Boyds and other animals that share our rainforests with us in TNQ, the book 'The Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland' is a must have, click the link to go the QLD museum site to find out more and/or to order online [please note, this is not an advert and we are in no way affiliated with the QLD museum]
Have an excellent day :).
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Jo's an English lass - a fact that through hard work and a little therapy she has almost completely forgotten...
Crash is one of those people who should probably wear a bell round his neck. He's done a variety of things in his life but for the most part claims he was framed and didn't do them at all.
