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> From: Kurt Auffenberg <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: correction (nothing to do with shells)
> Date: Thursday, January 29, 1998 9:52 AM
>
> I apologize.  I had forgotten about the native animal and household pet
> deaths and sicknesses caused by trying to eat the toads.  I grew up the
son
> of a herpetologist so I tend to empathize more with the hairless
creatures
> of the world.  Patty is absolutely correct. She may also be correct about
> their place of origin. I'll check into it and if I'm wrong I apologize
for
> that also. However, I must say, although I have handled literally
hundreds
> of Bufo marinus, I have never observed them squirting bufoninine from the
> glands on their back.  This seems like an anecdote that should not be
> continued.  They are not spitting cobras.  If they are stroked the toxin
> will ooze, but not squirt unless pinched (which some idiots do to extract
> it for smoking purposes, obviously people with way too much time on their
> hands. They should collect shells (the obligatory shell reference)).  It
> has never been necessary for me to rush to wash my hands, I've never
> suffered from hallucinations after handling these adorable creatures.
> Growing up as I did I take in stride the sometimes lack of decorum
> exhibited by such creatures like poison toads and snakes. I should also
say
> that some of our local fauna have similar defense mechanisms, i.e. toads,
> skinks, etc. and many pets have succumbed or fallen ill after chewing on
a
> native toad or the broken off tail of certain lizards.  These hazards are
> not restricted to introduced species.  A survivor rarely partakes in that
> little snack again, kind of like when I stuck a fork in the electrical
> outlet.  Of course, that's the idea.  Again, I apologize.  But Patty, how
> can you say they are ugly?  Have you ever just gazed into one's eyes . .