You’re walking the dog after a heavy Florida rain when you see it. A lumpy, brown shape sitting perfectly still on the wet pavement. Your heart does a little skip because you’ve heard the horror stories about the "killer toads" that can take down a Labrador in minutes. But wait. Is that the invasive monster everyone is talking about, or is it just a harmless native neighbor looking for a snack? Comparing the cane toad vs southern toad isn't just an exercise for biology nerds; for pet owners in the Southeast, it's a critical safety skill.
Honestly, they look remarkably similar at a glance. Both are bumpy. Both are brownish-gray. Both love hanging out near porch lights to snatch up bugs. But mistaking one for the other can lead to unnecessary fear—or, conversely, a very expensive emergency vet visit.
The Ridge Test: It’s All in the Head
If you want to know what you're looking at, you have to look it right in the face. Southern toads (Anaxyrus terrestris) have a very specific "crown" on their heads. If you look between their eyes, you’ll see two prominent, bony ridges. These ridges actually end in little knobs or "spurs" that point toward the back. It’s almost like they’re wearing a tiny, lumpy tiara.
Cane toads (Rhinella marina), on the other hand, are much more "plain" on top. They lack those high, bony ridges. Their head is relatively flat between the eyes. If you see a toad and it looks like someone took a thumb and smoothed out the space between its eyes, you’re likely looking at a cane toad. Steve Johnson, a wildlife ecology professor at the University of Florida, often points out that these "cranial crests" are the most reliable way to tell them apart, especially when the toads are roughly the same size.
Size is a bit of a trick, though. People assume cane toads are always giant. While they can grow to be the size of a dinner plate—sometimes weighing over two pounds—the younger ones are small. A juvenile cane toad and an adult southern toad can be the exact same length. You can't just go by "big vs. small." You have to look at the architecture of the skull.
👉 See also: Why 2525 West End Ave Nashville Is More Than Just an Office Building
Parotoid Glands: The Poison Pockets
This is where things get serious. Both species have parotoid glands, which are the swollen lumps behind the eyes that secrete toxins. However, the shape of these glands is a dead giveaway.
In a southern toad, the glands are small and oval-shaped. They don't really extend very far down the body. But a cane toad? Their glands are massive. They are triangular and extend way down the shoulders. Think of it like a shoulder pad from an 80s power suit. These glands are packed with a milky white toxin called bufotoxin. While most native toads have some level of toxin to deter predators, the cane toad's cocktail is exceptionally potent.
When a dog bites a cane toad, the pressure causes the toad to "squirt" this toxin directly into the dog's mouth. It’s absorbed through the gums. Within minutes, the dog will start drooling excessively, their gums will turn a bright "brick red," and they may begin to seize. It is a legitimate medical emergency. If you ever see this happen, you've gotta get a garden hose and rinse the dog's mouth out sideways—don't point it down the throat—to wash away the slime before rushing to the vet.
Why the Cane Toad is Even Here
It’s easy to vilify them, but cane toads didn't ask to be in Florida. They were brought over in the 1930s and 40s. The idea was that they would eat the beetles plaguing the sugar cane fields. It was a spectacular failure. The toads didn't care about the beetles; they preferred the much easier life of living in suburban yards and eating pet food left on porches.
They are incredibly hardy. While the native southern toad prefers woods and sandy soil, the cane toad is a master of the "human" environment. They love manicured lawns. They love golf courses. They love your backyard. Because they are so much larger than our native species, they don't just compete for food—they eat the competition. A large cane toad will happily swallow a native southern toad whole. This is why the cane toad vs southern toad debate is so important for local ecosystems; the invasive ones are literally consuming the locals.
📖 Related: Socks Men Low Cut: Why Your Ankles Are Always Blistering and How to Fix It
The Skin and the Spots
If you’re brave enough to get close, look at the skin texture. Southern toads often have a few large "warts" inside each dark spot on their backs. It’s a very patterned, almost organized look. Cane toads are more of a chaotic mess of bumps. Their skin is incredibly dry and rugose.
Coloration is a terrible way to ID them. Both species can change their hue slightly based on the temperature or their surroundings. You might find a pale tan southern toad and a dark chocolate cane toad, or vice-versa. Don't trust the color. Trust the ridges and the shoulder pads.
Stopping the Invasion in Your Own Yard
If you’ve confirmed you have cane toads, you shouldn't just leave them be. They are a threat to biodiversity and pets. The most humane way to deal with them, according to the University of Florida, is to capture them (use a bag or gloves!), apply a strip of 20% benzocaine gel (toothache medicine) to their belly, and once they are knocked out, put them in the freezer for 24 hours. It’s a grim task, but it’s better than losing a pet or watching your local ecosystem collapse.
✨ Don't miss: Finding a 4 seater patio table that actually fits your life
On the flip side, if you have southern toads, cherish them. They are doing the hard work of eating thousands of mosquitoes and beetles every year. They belong here.
Actionable Steps for Homeowners
- Audit the Water: Check for standing water or soggy areas. Both toads need moisture, but cane toads especially love consistent water sources like pet bowls or birdbaths.
- The Porch Light Rule: Switch your outdoor bulbs to yellow "bug lights." This reduces the number of insects attracted to your house, which in turn reduces the "buffet" that attracts toads to your doorstep.
- Clear the Cover: Remove leaf piles, hollow logs, and low-hanging brush near your home’s foundation. These are prime condos for both species, but removing them forces the toads to find habitat further away from your pets.
- Feed Pets Indoors: This is the big one. Leaving a bowl of kibble outside is basically putting out a neon sign for every cane toad in a three-block radius. They love dog food.
- Learn the Call: If you hear a low, melodic trill that lasts several seconds, that’s a southern toad. If you hear a repetitive, mechanical "m-m-m-m" that sounds like a small tractor idling in the distance, you’ve got a cane toad problem.
Distinguishing between these two isn't impossible once you know where to look. Stop focusing on the size and start looking at the "crests" and the "capes." Identifying a southern toad means you can relax and let nature be; identifying a cane toad means it's time to take action to protect your yard.