This behaviour by Corvids has been reported a few times in the top end. Not
quite as spectacular as the Case of the Exploding Toads in Germany a few years
back, but the technique seems to pretty effective. Hopefully, the behaviour
will be learnt by other Corvids.
Anyone not familiar with the German exploding toads, might like to watch this:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XK4WS83LKIM
Carl Clifford
> On 31 Jan 2015, at 10:38 am, shane brady <> wrote:
>
> Hi all
> Crows appear to be winning the battle against Cane Toads, at least at our
> in-laws' property in the Maranoa abt 90km east of Roma.
> During our latest visit before Xmas, there was a noticeable decrease in
> toads v frogs, by calls at least. They have been totally dominant out there
> for years.
> Every morning a Crow actively hunts them out of a hole beneath a tree in
> the homestead garden and eats them belly-first.
> Crows are apparently applying this technique to other reptiles and
> amphibians as I found a tree frog and a dragon lizard that had been eaten
> the same telltale way, presumably by Crows.
> Cane Toads have been rife in the area for a long time. Step on a piece of
> caked mud by a dry dam and dozens of toadlets would scurry out. But they
> were strangely quiet this time, and we were treated to an amazing frog
> symphony each night after the recent rains. Two sounded like they were
> having an aurgument - one kept responding 'You're wrong, you're wrong -
> wrong, wrong , wrong'. Hilarious.
> I also saw a meteorite explode while out listening to them one starry night.
> Goannas, which have been absent for some time, are also returning. I saw a
> magnificent Sand Goanna cross the Roma-Taroom Rd nr Mooga Mooga Ck. Just
> missed him, thankfully.
> I know all the above is only anecdotal but the signs are encouraging.
> Shane B
> Brisbane
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