A NSW Government website

Cane toad

Rhinella marina

Report sightings of suspected exotic animal incursions

See it? Report in ToadScan or use the online form for suspicious sightings.



Currently about 98% of NSW is cane toad free. A small area in north eastern NSW has an endemic population of cane toads. Regulations and programs are in place to prevent further spread and establishment of them across NSW.

The cane toad has few predators in Australia and they:

  • poison pets and injure humans with their toxins
  • poison many native animals whose diet includes frogs, tadpoles and frogs' eggs
  • eat large numbers of honeybees, creating a management problem for bee-keepers
  • cannot be easily controlled once established in the wild
  • prey on native animals including threatened species, and compete with them for food which has resulted in population decline of some of these species including snakes
  • can carry diseases that can be transmitted to native frogs and fishes.

Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone

To prevent the spread and establishment of cane toads in NSW a Cane Toad Biosecurity Zone has been established.  No person can keep, move, or release a cane toad in this zone unless permitted for pest control, research or exhibition.  Landowners and occupiers are required to report new detections of cane toads, humanely euthanise them and prevent the spread of cane toads from their land.

Think you’ve found a cane toad?

What you should do if you think you have found a cane toad.

About cane toads and their control

Includes description, biology, ecology and control

Look-a-likes

Some native frogs look like cane toads - check before taking action.

Cane toad resources

Including information for veterinarians.