Meteorologist Matt Devitt warned last Wednesday about the Increased sightings of cane toads in southwest Floridaincluding a massive, foot-long specimen caught off Marco Island in the southwest of the state.
These invasive toads pose a serious danger to petsespecially during the rainy season when their numbers peak, and they are most active at night, he said. Facebook.
He explained that Cane toad releases a toxin that can be fatal to pets“If your pet finds and bites a cane toad, the impact will be almost immediate,” he warned.
The effects of the toxin can make a dog seriously ill and without proper treatment, can cause death in just 15 minuteshe stressed.
Devitt advised pet owners to take quick and specific action: “If your dog does get bitten by one, wash the toad toxins out of the dog’s mouth quickly using a hose for ten minutes, being careful not to direct water down the dog’s throat. Wipe the dog’s gums and tongue with a dish towel to remove toxins. Take your pet to the vet!“
In addition to the risk to pets, the meteorologist highlighted the negative ecological impact of the cane toad, an invasive species with no place in the local ecosystem.
She advised that if handling these toads is necessary, protective latex gloves should be worn at all times, although she also noted the importance of correctly identifying the cane toad before proceeding to dispose of it.
This call for caution seeks to protect both pets and the environment from the harmful effects of this invasive species.
Last June, another invasive species was captured in Florida. In this case, a video shared on social media showed an alligator devouring a devil fish, an animal that can cause damage to ecosystems.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a government agency that provides scientific data on Earth systems, natural disasters, and natural resources, and has warned that this invasive species is more common in Florida than in any other state in the country.
In the past, this species has been responsible for the deaths of manatees in the state of Florida, according to WBBH.
Also recently, a hunter python snakes from Florida caught a specimen of 17 feet and one inch – more than five meters – in the Everglades near Fort Lauderdale, and the shocking moment the capture was caught on camera.
Matthew Kogoa Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) trapper, found the snake at the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area.
The invasive pythons They can reach eight meters in length and wreak havoc on the native wildlife of that South Florida ecosystem, even going so far as to devour alligatorsThey have reduced some mammal populations by as much as 90%, according to FWC. They have no natural predators in the Everglades.