Jupiter Fourth-Grader Starts "Habitat Heroes" to Help Protect Pets from Toxic Cane Toads
JUPITER, Fla. — While many kids spend their summer evenings playing outside, one Jupiter fourth-grader is spending his helping protect neighborhood pets and Florida's native wildlife.
After learning how dangerous invasive cane toads can be for dogs, Aspen Cara started a community service initiative called Habitat Heroes. Alongside his family, he's been searching local neighborhoods for invasive cane toads and helping remove them while encouraging others to learn how to identify the species correctly.
The project began after Aspen learned about the impact cane toads can have on pets. Cane toads, which are not native to Florida, secrete a powerful toxin from glands behind their eyes. Dogs that lick, bite, or pick up one of these toads can become seriously ill within minutes.
According to reports, Aspen and his family have removed dozens of invasive cane toads during some of their evening outings. Just as importantly, Habitat Heroes emphasizes learning to correctly identify cane toads so native frogs and toads—which play an important role in Florida's ecosystem—are left alone.
Why Cane Toads Matter
Cane toads are common throughout South Florida, especially during the warm, rainy months. They're often most active after sunset and are frequently found around outdoor lights, gardens, ponds, and areas where pet food or standing water may attract insects.
Unlike Florida's native toads, cane toads can pose a serious risk to curious dogs.
Pet Safety Tips
If you have pets, here are a few ways to help keep them safe:
- Keep dogs on a leash during evening walks whenever possible.
- Check your yard after dark, especially after heavy rain.
- Remove standing water and avoid leaving pet food outdoors overnight.
Learn how to identify invasive cane toads before attempting to remove one.
Supervise pets when they're outside at dawn, dusk, or nighttime.
What To Do If Your Dog Touches a Cane Toad
If you believe your dog has mouthed or licked a cane toad:
- Wipe or gently rinse your dog's mouth with running water, directing the water out of the mouth rather than down the throat.
- Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.
- Watch for symptoms such as excessive drooling, bright red gums, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, difficulty walking, tremors, or seizures.
Quick treatment can make a significant difference.
A Young Neighbor Making a Difference
Aspen's Habitat Heroes project is a reminder that making a positive impact doesn't always require a large organization or years of experience. Sometimes it starts with one person noticing a problem and deciding to help.
For Jupiter residents, it's also a timely reminder to stay aware of invasive cane toads during the summer months and take a few simple precautions to help keep pets safe.
Have you seen cane toads in your neighborhood this summer? We'd love to hear from you and your experiences.
Photo by: WPBF