Record-sized ‘monster toad’ discovered in Australia
Photo: Handout / Queensland Department of Environment and Science / AFP / NTB
Rangers from Queensland State Park in Australia recently made a very special discovery in Conway National Park.
While on patrol, ranger Kylee Gray discovered a giant agave toad, writes Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
The toad was measured at a whopping 2.7 kilograms and just over 25 centimeters in length, which is six times larger than average.
Gray tells ABC the toad was so big she thought it was a joke, until she realized it was breathing.
– I just couldn’t believe it to be honest. I have never seen anything so big.
– He almost looked like a soccer ball with legs. We called it “Toadzilla”.
The Monster Toad was quickly captured and placed in a container, before the team returned to base.
The current Guinness record is 2.65 kilograms and was set by a pet toad in Sweden named “Prinsen” in 1991. This allows “Toadzilla” to set a new world record.
Agapadde is a species of amphibian in the toad family. It is large, voracious and highly venomous and is a formidable pest control with few enemies, according to Great Norwegian Encyclopedia.
In Australia, however, the agave toad has caused great damage, displacing much of the natural amphibian fauna. This is largely due to the strong poison present in the skin of adults and tadpoles.
In accordance with standard Australian pest management practice, ‘Toadzilla’ has been euthanized and will be donated to the Queensland Museum.
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