The toads used to make these bags were killed in an effort to curb the rampant Cane Toad population in places where this invasive amphibian has unfortunately been causing serious ecological harm ⚠️
We love the idea of transmuting something negative into something more positive- as well as functional- so are now proudly offering these wonderfully witchy Cane Toad purses~
Each purse is made from a genuine Cane Toad, so their exact shape and size will vary slightly- as will their facial expressions!
POUCH SIZE: the pouches on these toads vary as they are a natural product, but measuring approximately 2”-2.5” wide by 3.5”-4” long.
Perfect size for cash, cards, chapstick, crystals, or any other trinkets you want to carry around!
These toad pouches are NOT large enough to carry a smart phone.
↳ Some of the toads are large enough to carry credit/debit cards, so if you'd like to make sure your toad friend will fit your cards, please leave us a message at checkout in the "notes to seller" box, and we will do our best to accommodate! 🙏
Each part of the toad is perfectly preserved into a fantastic leather, from their faces to their feet & little butts. Googly eyes now rest in their eye sockets 👀
These toads are a true taxidermy masterpiece~ A comfort creature that will keep you company for all of your days! 🐸💖
↳ Now get a mini booklet with your toad for a discounted price ($5 off) when you purchase them together!
𓆏 A Brief History of the Sugar Cane Toad: 𓆏
Cane Toads- first known as Bufo marinus, but later classified as Rhinella marina- are large, terrestrial toads native to Central & South America. The toads were first introduced to Puerto Rico in the early 20th century as a natural alternative of agricultural pest control in sugar cane fields, in attempt to help eradicate the cane beetle, which was plaguing local farmers by destroying their crops. By the 1930’s, after a seemingly successful first trial, they were adopted as an ideal form of pest control. Unfortunately, ecologists at the time did not fully understand that the nesting habits of the beetles, which generally took to the top of the sugar cane stalks, would prevent the toads from wanting to take them as easy prey. Since the toads couldn't easily reach their nests, their opportunist diets and ability to poison almost any predator quickly allowed them to climb the ranks in the food chain.
Their prolific reproduction cycles & voracious appetite have devastated ecosystems; exponential growth and indiscriminate diet threatens native species through competition for available food. They will eat mostly anything from small birds and mammals, other amphibians and reptiles, to household refuse. They have been known to go into yards searching for food and subsequently poisoning peoples’ pets. The Cane Toad is poisonous at all stages in their life cycle, even as tadpoles. They have few natural predators in places where they are a problem due to their high level of toxicity, and have even been known to poison water supplies- killing off livestock and contaminating surrounding areas.
Extermination is currently the only available & relatively successful solution, so some very clever craftsmen have found a way to turn them into these novelty coin pouches to make use of what is available. Unfortunately, the Cane Toad is now classified as invasive in over 20 countries due to introduction & ability to spread rapidly. The toads come from either the Philippines or Australia, wherever they are available to us at the time, and are helping locals rid themselves of a devastating pest while contributing to their economy. Unfortunately, leaving them to decompose in their natural environment is not an optimal solution, because of their ability to contaminate the environment or poison scavengers that might come to prey on them. This is why locals feel that removing them from the ecosystem or utilizing them as a resource is considered the best solution.
In other places where they are also a problem, citizens are literally encouraged to get rid of them “by any means necessary.” This has sadly led to people using some pretty cruel methods to rid themselves of what they consider a scourge to their land. The production of our Cane Toad accessories actually promotes a much more ethical treatment of the toads, because they are frozen in order to be preserved so perfectly. Freezing is considered the most humane death for a cold-blooded creature because they simply fall to sleep and never awaken.
Give a Toad a home 🐸💚✨
