When the cane toad invasion advanced through Northern Australia and threatened the snakes Rick Shine was studying, he was forced to switch his scientific attention to toads.

Quickly understanding the futility of trying to eradicate the cane toad, Rick devised a radical solution.

His idea, met with huge scepticism, was to influence biology by training native animals to prefer a smaller, less-toxic toad.

Rick’s had a lifelong fascination for reptiles, stemming from a boyhood love of snakes. He’s conducted studies into snakes all over the world, and is recognised as a leading herpetologist.

Rick’s research and teaching have seen him awarded with many honours and prestigious positions, including multiple Eureka Prizes. In 2016, he won the Prime Minister's Prize for Science.

Further Information

Cane Toad Wars is published by California University Press

Rick is a Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Sydney

Visit the University of Sydney's Shine Lab website