Giant Dog-sized Toad Found In Australia

A giant cane toad the size of a small dog and nicknamed Toadzilla has been captured in northern Australia.

Toadzilla is the biggest cane toad ever found in Australia's Northern Territory, measuring 8 inches and weighing just under two pounds.

The toads were introduced from Hawaii in the 1930s in a failed attempt to control native cane beetles. Toadzilla was caught during a community hunt after residents were urged to help stop the spread of this most unwelcome of pests.

"He is huge. I would hate to meet his big sister", said FrogWatch co-ordinator Graeme Sawyer. Cane toads were first released in Queensland and some estimates have now put their number as high as 200 million.

They have poisoned countless native animals, including crocodiles which have died after eating them, which has led to population of snakes, and lizards suffering.

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