As the cane toad moves within spitting distance of Kununurra, and the Department of Environment and Conservation admits little can be done to stop its march during the wet season, international researchers have pointed to a born-to-rule mentality among all toads.

In findings published in Science, the researchers from Belgium, Switzerland, India and Italy say the cane toad's "rapid and destructive expansion" was rooted deep.

"(It) may be a remnant of the period when toads colonised the world," they say.

Seven particular habits enabling toads to do this were identified.

Included among them was the presence of the poisonous parotoid glands that have enabled cane toads to march across northern Australia from Queensland, killing many other creatures along the way.

Toads were not dependent on constant water or humidity, had a higher relative water storage ability in their bladders, an extra energy reserve, and an ability to use all types of water bodies to reproduce, including harsh habitats.

The species also larvae which took food from the environment and laid plenty of eggs, leading to wider distribution.