toad venom

6 Stories

This Toad's Poison Could Kill a Dog—or Get You High

The 'New York Times' takes a look at the Sonoran desert toad

(Newser) - When threatened, the Sonoran desert toad secretes poison strong enough to kill a full-grown dog, writes Simon Romero for the New York Times. The poison can also be harvested, dried, and smoked, inducing feelings of euphoria intense enough to inspire the nickname "God molecule." And as Romero explains,...

Porn Star Arrested in Deadly Toad Venom Case

Nacho Vidal is manslaughter suspect after photographer dies after reported shamanic ritual

(Newser) - Last July, fashion photographer Jose Luis Abad died in Spain after authorities say he inhaled vapors from toad venom during a shamanic ritual. Now, the Guardian and BBC report three people have been arrested, including a porn star who hawks penis-shaped candles on Twitter . Nacho Vidal (real name: Ignacio Jorda...

Fla. 'Burb Overrun by Scads of Poisonous Toads

The bufo toad is apparently feeling a little amorous

(Newser) - A Florida suburb is being plagued by thousands of poisonous toads, reports the AP . Experts say the amphibians are bufo toads, also known as cane toads. Residents in the infested Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood worry toxins secreted by the toads will harm their pets and children. News stations broadcast images...

Aussies Croak Toxic Toads
 Aussies Croak 
 Toxic Toads 
Mar 29, 2009 8:45 AM CDT

Aussies Croak Toxic Toads

(Newser) - Aussies killed thousands of "toxic" cane toads today in an annual hunting festival to help reduce their ravenous numbers, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. The toads were introduced in 1935 from South American to eat pest beetles, but they now number in the millions and are driving out local...

Toxic Toads Wiping Out Aussie Crocs
Toxic Toads Wiping Out Aussie Crocs
Nov 19, 2008 1:53 AM CST

Toxic Toads Wiping Out Aussie Crocs

Freshwater crocodiles munch on invaders with fatal results

(Newser) - Poisonous cane toads are proving more than a match for Australia's freshwater crocodiles, AFP reports. The toads are hopping their way into the crocs' northern Australia territory in huge numbers, killing off all who opt to make a meal of the invaders. Toad poisoning has already cut the numbers of...

Toad Venom Aphrodisiac Kills NYC Man

'There is no safe way to use' love drug that upsets heart rhythms

(Newser) - New York City officials warned people today to avoid a toad venom-based aphrodisiac that recently killed a man, the AP reports. The illegal love drug, often sold as Jamaican Stone or Chinese Rock, is harmful whether ingested or applied to the skin. "There is no definitely safe way to...

6 Stories