NORTHERN TERRITORY NEWS (Darwin, Australia) 26 August 08 Snakes sink fangs into cane toads (Rebekah Cavanagh)
Could snakes be the answer to the Territory's cane toad problem?
Toadbusters have been spotting some species of reptiles feasting on toads in the Top End.
These photos show two common NT snake species - the keelback and slatey grey - gulping down the dreaded pests at Elizabeth Valley in Darwin's rural area.
For many animals this would be a fatal feast. But FrogWatch NT co-ordinator and Darwin Lord Mayor Graeme Sawyer said some animals across the world do have immunity to the cane toads' lethal toxins.
And while he said snakes alone would not be able to eradicate toad populations by eating them, they could still hold the key in their genetics to what could potentially wipe out the infamous Bufo marinus.
He said national studies of genetics should be conducted to determine what gives some animals resistance to toad toxins.
"We need to ask the question why some species can eat cane toads and why some can't," he said.
"If we can figure this out and then look at ways of introducing this immunity to animals at threat, without having any other adverse affects, then it could help."
Snakes sink fangs into cane toads