Rhinella marina
Japanese name: オオヒキガエル
Chinese name: 海蟾蜍、蔗蟾
English name: Cane toad, Marine toad
Origin: Southern United States to Central and northern South America
The cane toad, native to the Americas, can grow to a length of 10 to 15 cm. It was introduced to Japan in the past for pest control in sugarcane fields on the Ogasawara Islands and Ishigakijima. However, it was later found that the species has a highly generalist diet and can lay between 8,000 and 25,000 eggs at once, which has led to significant impacts on local ecosystems. In 2005, it was designated as a Specified Invasive Alien Species under Japan’s Invasive Alien Species Act, making its importation, transport, and keeping prohibited. Stable populations are currently established on the Ogasawara Islands, Daitou Islands, Ishigakijima, and Hatomajima. There are also multiple records of individuals unintentionally transported to Iriomotejima via cargo shipments.
Reference: Reference: National Institute for Environmental Studies, Invasive Species Database
