Poisonous to animals that bite or eat it, including pets. “The skin-gland secretions of cane toads (called bufotoxin) are highly toxic and can sicken or even kill animals that bite or feed on them, including native animals and domestic pets …” FWC
Toxic skin secretions irritate the eyes and nose of people and the mouths of pets that bite them. “Cuban treefrog secretions are extremely irritating to the mucous membranes of mammals, especially humans.” UF/IFAS Extension
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Usually 6 to 8 inches long (NCWRC); can reach 8 inches or more and weigh over 2 pounds (CDFW). Missouri gives 3.5 to 6 inches snout to vent, occasionally to 8.75.
How to recognize it
No ridge (dorsolateral fold) down each side of the back
Large round eardrum: about twice the eye in males, about eye-sized in females
Fully webbed hind feet, longest toe extends past the webbing
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
JFMAMJJASOND
99 records by month.
No confirmed photo of Cane Toad
Cane Toad
Rhinella horribilis/marina
Not statedInvasive
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Danger to people
“The skin-gland secretions of cane toads (called bufotoxin) are highly toxic and can sicken or even kill animals that bite or feed on them, including native animals and domestic pets …” FWC
Where in Florida
Cane toads are currently found in central and south Florida, generally south of the I-4 corridor. FWC
What the sources say
Habitat: In Florida, cane toads are found in urban, suburban and agricultural areas. (FWC)
No confirmed photo of Carpenter Frog
Carpenter Frog
Rana virgatipes
Not stated
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of Cope’s Gray Treefrog
Cope’s Gray Treefrog
Hyla chrysoscelis
Not stated
Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Danger to people
“Cuban treefrog secretions are extremely irritating to the mucous membranes of mammals, especially humans.” UF/IFAS Extension
Size
Most are 1.5 to 2.5 inches long (not counting legs); adult females can exceed 6 inches. Any Florida treefrog over 3 inches is almost certainly a Cuban treefrog.
How to recognize it
Very large toe pads, much larger than native treefrogs'.
Large 'bug eyes'.
Warty back but no warts on top of the head; skin on the head fused to the skull once the frog is over about 1 inch long.
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Usually 1.6 to 2.9 inches (SREL), with official ranges up to 3.5 inches (Virginia DWR) or 4 inches (Alabama); island populations can reach 4.4 inches. FWC: maximum of about 3 to 4 inches. Females are larger than males.
How to recognize it
High ridges (cranial crests) on the head that end in raised knobs in front of the glands behind the eyes, giving a "horned" look. NCWRC: this is the easiest way to tell it from American and Fowler's toads.
Large, elongated (Alabama: kidney-shaped) parotoid glands behind the eyes; UF/IFAS describes them as small and oval compared with the cane toad's large triangular glands.
A faint light stripe may run down the middle of the back.
The oak toad is tiny (never over 1.5 inches, UF/IFAS) with a bold light stripe from snout down the back and indistinct head crests; NCWRC notes young southern toads are often mistaken for oak toads.
Florida Museum: the invasive Cuban treefrog is larger, with larger toe pads and irregularly bumpy skin. UF/IFAS: any treefrog in Florida longer than 3 inches is almost certainly a Cuban treefrog.
Bullfrogs lack the dorsolateral ridges that green frogs have.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When frogs and toads are active in Florida
Records of frogs and toads in Florida peak in March and May to September. They show when people record frogs and toads, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
14,015 records of frogs and toads in Florida by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.
Official advice from FWC:
Wear gloves and eye protection when handling cane toads and wash hands afterward. FWC
How to report
Report nonnative animals to the FWC Invasive Species Hotline 888-Ive-Got1 (888-483-4681); FWC asks the public to call the Hotline for high-priority species: all nonnative snakes, monitor lizards and tegus. Other nonnative species can be reported via the IveGot1 app or IveGot1.org. Alligator or crocodile concerns: 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). FWC
What official sources say
Are there cane toads in Florida?
Yes. Cane toads are found in central and south Florida, generally south of the I-4 corridor; they are poisonous to pets. FWC
“Cane toads are currently found in central and south Florida, generally south of the I-4 corridor.”
Cane Toad (species profile). Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). archived copy, captured October 13, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Archived copy. Quoted passages (4)
“The skin-gland secretions of cane toads (called bufotoxin) are highly toxic and can sicken or even kill animals that bite or feed on them, including native animals and domestic pets. The skin secretions may irritate the skin or burn the eyes of people who handle them.”
“To safely remove cane toads, wear eye and skin protection, and wear latex, rubber, or nitrile gloves if handling.”
“Cane toads breed year-round in standing water, streams, canals and ditches.”
“Cane toads are currently found in central and south Florida, generally south of the I-4 corridor.”
WEC218 The Cuban Treefrog in Florida. UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS). Original publication date May 2007; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (5)
“Cuban treefrogs have exceptionally large toepads as compared to Florida’s native treefrogs”
“They have very large eyes, giving them a somewhat ‘bug-eyed’ appearance.”
“Once Cuban treefrogs reach a body length of approximately 1 inch, the skin on top of their head becomes tightly fused to the skull.”
“Cuban treefrog secretions are extremely irritating to the mucous membranes of mammals, especially humans.”
“Most Cuban treefrogs, however, range from 1.5–2.5 inches long (not including outstretched legs).”
Report Nonnative Species. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). archived copy, captured October 25, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.Archived copy. Quoted passages (1)
“You can call the FWC’s Invasive Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1 (483-4681) to report nonnative animals. We ask the public to call the Hotline to report high priority species, which include all nonnative snakes, monitor lizards, and tegus.”
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