Sonoran Desert Toad: US Authorities Warns Visitors Not to Lick or Kiss Poisonous Toads

Sonoran Desert toads are known for their poisonous skin and can make humans sick. However, some people are reportedly tempted to make physical contact with the potentially deadly amphibians. With this, the National Park Service (NPS) issued a warning to visitors not to lick or kiss the toxic psychedelic toads when they stumble upon them, likely outdoors and during evening or early morning hours.

NPS Poisonous Toad Warning

(Photo : Photo by SAM YEH/AFP via Getty Images)

The NPS through a Facebook post last week issued its poisonous toad warning, urging visitors to leave the Sonoran Desert toads alone. It is unclear if whether a recent incident reportedly triggered the post but the US agency wrote "here we are" in the post. In addition, these toads have parotoid glands that secrete toxins, which can make a people ill if they handle the frog or acquire the poison through the mouth.

Furthermore, the agency highlights that one might encounter the toad more frequently across a national park, reminding the public to refrain from making oral contact with the toads with glowing eyes in the dead of night, as well as to a banana slug or unfamiliar mushroom.

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The Sonoran Desert Toad

Also known as the Colorado River toad, the Sonoran Desert toad (Bufo alvarius) can grow at least 7 inches (18 centimers) and is one of the largest toads native in North America. Adults have a green color in its body, with a combination of greenish-gray dorsum on the topside of its body and creamy white enter on the underside.

According to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, the Sonoran Desert toads have "extremely potent, defensive toxins" that are usually released from several glands, primarily parotoids, in the skin, as mentioned earlier. Most animals that harass B. alvarius get intoxicated through the mouth, nose, or eyes. Even full-grown pet dogs can die from the toxins when they pick up or mouth the toads.

The museum highlights that animals can experience intoxication symptoms from the Sonoran toad like excessive salivation, irregular heartbeat, irregular manner of walking, and pawing at the mouth.

Toad Poisoning

For years, scientists have eventually discovered that amphibians like frogs, newts, toads, and salamanders have defense mechanisms through potent toxins. These innate poison is a product of evolution against various external factors, according to the National Capital Poison Center, which debunked that kissing a frog could turn him into a prince in fairy tales.

In May 2022, CBS News cited a report from state news agency TASS that a former Russian oil executive died from toad poisoning after seeking a "toad poison hangover treatment" from a local healer or medicine man known as "Magua" in the town of Mytishchi, just outside the Russian capital city of Moscow.

In addition, there are other cases where humans have died from ingestion of suspected toad venom, which can lead to severe illnesses and even death.