The National Park Service is asking people to 'please refrain from licking' Sonoran desert toads, which secrete a powerful toxin.
Black and white motion sensor camera capture of Sonoran Desert Toad staring into your soul at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona.Black and white motion sensor camera capture of Sonoran Desert Toad staring into your soul at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona.Go into almost any park and there's often reminders to refrain from going near, petting or feeding wildlife. Not licking strange animals was simply a given — until now.
The National Park Service has added tongue-contact with the Sonoran desert toad among its various warnings for park visitors. "As we say with most things you come across in a national park, whether it be a banana slug, unfamiliar mushroom, or a large toad with glowing eyes in the dead of night, please refrain from licking," the agencyThe toad, also known as the Colorado river toad, is about seven inches in size and carries a weak, low-pitched ribbit sound. But the creature is far from harmless.
Despite the risks, some people have discovered that the toad's toxic secretions contain a powerful hallucinogenic known as 5-MeO-DMT.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A park biologist explains some saguaro scienceSaguaro National Park has been studying the health of its namesake cactus for more than 75 years. Video courtesy of the National Park Service.
Read more »
Major upgrade planned for entrance to Saguaro National Park EastFor Star subscribers: The National Park Service wants to reroute the road and dramatically expand the parking lot at the Rincon Mountain Visitor Center, which dates back to 1953 and contains just 40 spaces.
Read more »
Tornado touched down in Kane County on Saturday morning, National Weather Service confirmsA power pole was snapped and several trees downed after a tornado was reported in Kane County.
Read more »
Colorado man sentenced to 23 years in prison after shooting ranger at Rocky Mountain National ParkA Colorado man who pleaded guilty to shooting a Rocky Mountain National Park ranger during a gunfight last year was sentenced to more than 23 years in federal prison, federal prosecutors said.
Read more »
Colorado man sentenced to 23 years in prison after shooting ranger at Rocky Mountain National ParkDaron Marquel Ellis, who pleaded guilty to shooting a Rocky Mountain National Park ranger during a gunfight last year, was sentenced to more than 23 years in federal prison Friday, federal prosecutors said.
Read more »