Massive cane toad struggles to fit on the scales as Russian zoo keepers try to check out its weight.
The giant toad seems unconcerned as the keepers poke and prod it to spread its considerable bulk evenly over the weighing machine at Moscow Zoo, in Russia.
The reptile experts were careful to keep their surgical gloves on, as the toad secretes a toxic milky fluid called bufotoxin from glands on its skin that can cause serious illness in humans.
The footage from 22nd May shows the female toad Nastyukha tipping the scales at a whopping weight of nearly 1.5 kilogrammes (3.3 lbs).
Moscow Zoo said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: “The weight of the cane toad is another source of pride for our zoologists.
“Now the female with the vibrant name Nastyukha has reached her optimal weight – almost one and a half kilogrammes. Males weigh slightly less.”
The toad’s enormous size sparked numerous reactions on the Russian social media platform VKontakte after the zoo posted the video.
VKontakte user ‘Anastasia Gerasimova’ said: “Nastyukha, namesake, keep in shape.”
Another ‘Margarita Gerasimov’ commented: “How cute… I love toads.”
The cane toad (Rhinella marina), also known as the giant neotropical toad or marine toad, is native to South and mainland Central America.
It has also been introduced to various islands throughout Oceania and the Caribbean, as well as Northern Australia, where it’s considered a pest.
But Nastyukha has some pounds to pack on to hit the record books.
The largest cane toad believed to have been recorded was found in Australia in 1991 and dubbed Toadzilla after tipping the scales at 2.65 kilogramme (5.9 lbs).
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Georgina Jedikovska, Sub-Editor: Georgina Jedikovska, Agency: Newsflash
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
