Freaky FL Animals: Toads, Caterpillars Invade Sunshine State
The cane toad can kill animals that try to bite or eat it, and the tussock moth caterpillar can cause rashes in kids. They are both in FL. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has reported that cane toads and tussock moth caterpillars have invaded the Sunshine State, posing as potentially lethal to pets and potentially poisonous to other animals. The University of Maine warns of itchy rashes on humans due to the prickly hairs from the caterpillar, which are non-poisonous and non-venomous.
Published : 2 months ago by Amanda Lumpkin in Science
FLORIDA — Though they are not your usual alligator neighbor, toads that could kill pets and fuzzy rash-causing caterpillars have reportedly invaded Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission defined cane toads as "non-native" amphibian that could potentially poison most animals that attempt to bite or eat them.
The Sunshine State has become infested with cane toads and tussock moth caterpillars, WFLA reported.
Meanwhile, the University of Maine said tussock moth caterpillars could cause itchy rashes on humans - though their prickly hairs are non-poisonous and non-venomous.
Here are five things to know about cane toads: