Anurans is the proper name for both Frogs and Toads, the latter being a subset of Frogs. Frogs are generally tailless as adults, have compact bodies, and have longer more developed hind limbs than forelimbs. Frogs are fascinating creatures due to the incredible diversity of colour, size, reproductive, predation, and survival strategies they employ. The true toads are characterized by warty skin, large eyes with horizontal pupils, unwebbed front hands, large paratoid glands near the ear and bony ridges on the head. All toads skin contain toxic substances that make them unpalatable to most predators.
Most toads are nocturnal, and tend to burrow or hide by day.
Cane Toads are native to central America. Early in this century in an effort to use them as a biological control agent against beetles infesting sugar cane crops, they were widely exported. Cane toads can now be found in Hawaii, Florida, the Philippines, and most notably Australia. In Australia due to a lack of predators and favourable conditions the Cane Toads have become prolific. Like most toads Canes are quite plump when well fed.