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Tampa Bay Pet Owners: Poisonous Bufo Toads Found In Central Florida

Mason in the Morning Mason in the Morning February 5th
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 29: Jeannine Tilford, of Toad Busters, a toad removal company based in South Florida, holds a poisonous cane toad, also known as bufos, that she caught near a lake on March 29, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The highly toxic species of toad, which can cause harm to animals and people, has inundated some places in the Palm Beach area as the baby toads come out of the water this time of the year. . (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

This is a warning to pet owners. The bufo toad, or cane toad, is being found throughout central Florida. Be careful to keep your pets away from these toxic toads.

These amphibians are not native to Florida. They are from the Amazon basin, and were brought to Florida to control pests in sugar cane.

One of the most obvious signs that you have a bufo toad is that they are 6 to 9 inches long, not like our regular toads. The secretions are toxic and are deadly to dogs and cats.

This is an invasive species and it is recommended that you kill them if you see them. If your pet encounters one, biting or swallowing the toad, click here for instructions on what to do from ABC Action News. There are also details on identifying bufo toads.

  • Infestation Of Poisonous Toads Has Florida Residents Calling Pest Control Specialists To Remove The Hoards

    WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 29: Poisonous cane toad, also known as bufos, are seen in a box after Jeannine Tilford, of Toad Busters, a toad removal company based in South Florida, captured them near a lake on March 29, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The highly toxic species of toad, which can cause harm to animals and people, has inundated some places in the Palm Beach area as the baby toads come out of the water this time of the year. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • Infestation Of Poisonous Toads Has Florida Residents Calling Pest Control Specialists To Remove The Hoards

    WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 29: Jeannine Tilford, of Toad Busters, a toad removal company based in South Florida, holds a poisonous cane toad, also known as bufos, that she caught near a lake on March 29, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The highly toxic species of toad, which can cause harm to animals and people, has inundated some places in the Palm Beach area as the baby toads come out of the water this time of the year. . (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • Infestation Of Poisonous Toads Has Florida Residents Calling Pest Control Specialists To Remove The Hoards

    WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 29: The milk-like poison that is secreted by a cane toad, also known as bufos, is seen on the amphibian's back after it was captured near a lake on March 29, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The highly toxic species of toad, which can cause harm to animals and people, has inundated some places in the Palm Beach area as the baby toads come out of the water this time of the year. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • Infestation Of Poisonous Toads Has Florida Residents Calling Pest Control Specialists To Remove The Hoards

    WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 29: A poisonous cane toad, also known as bufos, is seen near a lake on March 29, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The highly toxic species of toad, which can cause harm to animals and people, has inundated some places in the Palm Beach area as the baby toads come out of the water this time of the year. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

  • Infestation Of Poisonous Toads Has Florida Residents Calling Pest Control Specialists To Remove The Hoards

    WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 29: Jeannine Tilford, of Toad Busters, a toad removal company based in South Florida, holds a poisonous cane toad, also known as bufos, that she caught near a lake on March 29, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The highly toxic species of toad, which can cause harm to animals and people, has inundated some places in the Palm Beach area as the baby toads come out of the water this time of the year. . (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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