Cane Toads - Unwanted Pest or Fashion Icon?
Most Unpopular Aussie Creature Makes a Fashion Statement
Cane Toads were introduced into Queensland in 1935 to control two pests of sugar cane - the grey backed cane beetle and the frenchie beetle. They proved to be ineffective. Since then, they have "hopped" to other Australian mainland states where they are a threat to various natural habitats. They are an environmental disaster in Australia.
Living with cane toads
Growing up in the country town of Nambour in Queensland, Australia had lots of advantages - and one drawback. Most evenings our back yard would be the social scene for dozens of cane toads. These irksome creatures were frightening to small children and pets and we were told to stay clear of them or they would spit at us and cause warts. Charming!
Even more charming were the New Year dances at the Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesavers' Club on the Sunshine Coast when I was in my late teens. This is when rival lifesavers from Maroochydore Club would gatecrash the dance and throw buckets of cane toads amongst the revelers at midnight. I soon learned to get out onto the surfside balcony just before midnight to avoid the frightening toad drama.
Now that I live closer to the city of Brisbane, I don't see as many toads in my yard. But every now and then I hear the familiar "croak" and know one is lurking somewhere. Yikes!
Cane toads set for fashion stardom
Melbourne designer Karine Emanouel has decided to use cane toad leather for high fashion womens' shoes. The toads are skinned at a farm in Cairns, North Queensland and the leather is said to be similar to snake skin. It is very expensive and a pair of Karine's high heels will retail for AU$540 (US$502).Six toad skins used to make each pair of shoes.
Karine is doing her bit for the environment, but I, for one, won't be wearing "toad shoes" even if they are the latest fashion statement.
Song of the cane toad
Me-Fi Music has released a cane toad song. It just goes to show, the uglier you are and the bigger pest you are, the more celebrity you attract!
Sources:
http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/phtm/PHTM/staff/rsbufo.htm
http://scienceray.com/biology/zoology/australias-worst-environmental-disaster/
http://www.karineemanouel.com.au
http://music.metafilter.com/2213/Song-of-the-Cane-Toad
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Published by Susan Jane
I am an Australian professional writer with with 28 years of commercial experience. In 2003, I became full-time carer for my mother (now 91) who has a form of dementia. I was recently appointed as a Featured... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentNope! No cane toad anything for me! Nice job on this piece, by the way!
Even though I have four women in my family, I don't believe that toad shoes will be on the Christmas list this year...
OMG Susan! I just love hearing your Aussie stories! This was great!
Aussie sounds like a pretty interesting place. Thanks for the info.
Thanks for this... :o)
never heard of this before!
I don't think I'd want any cane toad shoes either but that song was cute. :-)
I've seen some scary documentaries about cane toads but you put things into perspective. I've not particularly drawn to any fashion items made from them but might want to see a cane toad in the wild - at a distance.