top of page
Search

Fact-Check: What Dr. Sharon Powell Got Wrong About “Bufo Toads”


ree

Dr. Sharon Powell of Edison Park Animal Hospital recently published a public advisory through the Lee County Sheriff's Office Animal

Cruelty Task Force social media about so-called “Bufo toads,” warning pet owners of the threat these invasive amphibians pose. Her goal was commendable: to help keep pets safe. But several statements in her piece were either inaccurate, misleading, or based on outdated science.


Below is Dr. Powell’s original article, followed by corrections and clarifications based on current information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the University of Florida IFAS Extension.


Dr. Sharon Powell’s Original Article:


BUFO TOADS

Dr. Sharon Powell, Edison Park Animal Hospital


Fort Myers is known for its lush landscapes and abundant wildlife and is home to a variety of amphibian species, including the Bofo toad (aka Cane toad or Marine toad). These toads pose a significant threat to pets. Bufo toads are an invasive species and are poisonous to most animals that try to bite or consume them. Bufo toads are not protected in Florida and can be removed from private property and humanely killed year-round. Captured Bufo toads may not be relocated and released. If you come into contact with a Bufo toad, thoroughly wash your hands. Always wear latex, rubber or nitrile gloves if you must handle a Bufo toad.


Bufo toads can be identified by the distinctive warty skin, triangular parotid glands that are located on the sides of their head. These glands secrete a white toxic substance (Bufotoxin) when the toad is threatened. If an animal licks or bites a Bufo, the toxin enters their system rapidly, leading to severe poisoning. The symptoms include drooling, pawing at the mouth, redness/swelling of the gums, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, cardiac arrest or death.


Bufo toad exposure is a medical emergency and time is of the essence as life-threatening signs can occur in under 15 minutes. If you suspect your pet has encountered a Bufo toad, begin flushing the mouth with water, keeping your pet’s head down to avoid ingesting or aspirating the water then begin to wipe the mouth/tongue/gums with a towel to try to remove or dilute the toxins. Seek veterinary care immediately.


Prevention is the key to protecting your pets. Supervise your pets outside, especially during dusk and dawn when Bufo toads are most active. Remove places where Bufo’s can hide. Cut your grass regularly, trim the underside of shrubs, keep branches off the ground, clear away brush piles and remove horticulture debris. Remove food that can attract toads and their prey. Feed pets indoors and do not leave pet food or water bowls outside. Consider leaving off outside lights when possible as they attract flying insects which the toad’s prey on.


Bufo toads not only pose a threat to pets but also impact the local ecosystem. They are voracious non-native species that consume a wide range of insects, small animals and native frogs. This can lead to a decline in our local biodiversity.


Take time to educate yourself on identifying Bufo toads. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has an excellent website regarding Bufo toad identification. Taking the steps above can keep your pets safe from these invasive amphibians.


Corrections and Clarifications:


1. Misspelling and outdated terminology

Dr. Powell’s article refers to the “Bofo toad.” This is a typographical error. The correct spelling is Bufo toad, but even that term is outdated. The species’ current scientific name is Rhinella marina, commonly called the cane toad or marine toad.


Using accurate taxonomy helps the public correctly identify the invasive species and avoid harming native Florida toads, which are often mistaken for them.


2. Legal status oversimplified

Dr. Powell wrote that Bufo toads “are not protected in Florida and can be removed from private property and humanely killed year-round.”


This statement is only partly true. Cane toads are not protected under Florida’s wildlife code except by the state’s anti-cruelty law (F.S. 828.12). They may be humanely euthanized with landowner permission, but relocating or cruelly killing them is illegal.


FWC explicitly states that cane toads “are not protected in Florida, except by anti-cruelty law, and can be removed from private property and humanely killed year-round.” The “humanely” part is essential.


3. Handling and safety guidance

Dr. Powell advised readers to “thoroughly wash your hands” after contact. While washing is wise, her advice is incomplete. The toxin secreted by cane toads can irritate eyes and skin. The correct public safety message is do not handle cane toads with bare hands at all. Use latex, rubber, or nitrile gloves and avoid touching your face. If toxin contacts skin or eyes, flush thoroughly with water and seek medical care.


4. Identification details

Powell’s article says Bufo toads can be identified by their “warty skin.” That description is not sufficient. Florida’s native southern toads (Anaxyrus terrestris) also have warty skin and are often misidentified and killed by mistake.


Cane toads are best identified by their large, triangular parotoid glands located behind the eyes and the absence of cranial ridges on their heads. They also tend to be larger, with a dry, bumpy texture and horizontal pupils.


6. Ecological impact section

Powell’s ecological statement that cane toads “consume a wide range of insects, small animals and native frogs” is accurate but incomplete.


Cane toads are voracious predators that also eat small reptiles, birds, and mammals. More importantly, they kill native predators—snakes, raccoons, and foxes—that attempt to eat them, because the toads’ bufotoxin is lethal to many species. The result is not just reduced biodiversity but also secondary poisoning throughout the food chain.


Dr. Powell’s intention—to protect pets—is admirable. But precision matters when educating the public about invasive species and toxins. Using outdated names, oversimplified laws, or incomplete safety advice can lead to panic, misinformation, and harm to native wildlife.


The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and University of Florida IFAS Extension provide accurate, science-based information for identifying and safely managing cane toads in Florida.


For more information, visit:

bottom of page