Cane Toads Get Back Pain

Really...its true. A study (Invasion, stress, and spinal arthritis in cane toads Gregory Brown et al PNAS Oct 2007 ) has shown that larger toads have an increased hopping distance.

Its an advantage in the toad world to having longer legs, it means you can move further. The cane toad is an invading species and so getting inland further than others is a distinct advantage.

But...there is a downside to this larger hopping distance in that they are getting arthritic spines. This study found that about 10% of them have severe changes in their backs.

You win some, you lose some.

Revolting things - glad I don't have them in my back garden - they are huge.

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02-Feb-2011