Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

The National Park Service Is Now Begging Visitors To Stop Licking Psychedelic Toads—And Hoo Boy

The National Park Service Is Now Begging Visitors To Stop Licking Psychedelic Toads—And Hoo Boy
Jason_Lee_Hughes/Getty Images; National Park Service/Facebook

The Sonoran Desert toad, also known as the Colorado River toad, secretes a toxin that can be harmful if ingested.

We've all known at least one person who will do anything to entertain themselves.

Fortunately, in most cases, people do not have to be reminded to not lick random objects.


National Park Service did not have the same luck, however, as they felt the need to put out a public service announcement last week about licking psychedelic frogs, specifically the Sonoran Desert Toad, also known as the Colorado River Toad.

In their usual humorous manner, the spokesperson for National Park Service wrote on Facebook:

"Here is the 'ribbiting' late night content no one asked for. Yet here we are. The Sonoran desert toad (Bufo alvarius), also known as the Colorado river toad, is one of the largest toads found in North America, measuring nearly 7 inches (18 cm)."
"What sound does it make? Its call has been described as a 'weak, low-pitched toot, lasting less than a second'. Was that the toad or did something startle you?"
"These toads have prominent parotoid glands that secrete a potent toxin. It can make you sick if you handle the frog or get the poison in your mouth."
"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 featured photo is in black and white, and was captioned:

"Image: Black and white motion sensor camera capture of Sonoran Desert Toad staring into your soul at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona."

You can read the full post here:

The post quickly garnered attention with more than 21-thousand likes, 2,400 shares, and over 1,200 comments.

While the subject of the post was serious, readers couldn't help but appreciate the humor.

National Park Service/Facebook

National Park Service/Facebook

National Park Service/Facebook

National Park Service/Facebook

National Park Service/Facebook

National Park Service/Facebook

National Park Service/Facebook

Considering their size, these toads must be incredible to witness in person, especially in the dark with their glowing eyes. However, like many other features found in nature, it is better to see them than to touch them, or in this case, to lick them.

More from Trending

Screenshots from @wolfiekahletti_'s TikTok video
@wolfiekahletti_/TikTok

TikTok Prankster Gets Hefty Prison Sentence After Spraying Walmart Produce With Insecticide

We've all known someone who tends to take pranks too far, but it's particularly taxing when we know someone who likes to film these pranks and share them online.

27-year-old TikTok prankster Charles Smith, known as Wolfie Kahletti on the platform (@wolfiekahletti_), is learning this the hard way.

Keep ReadingShow less
Keith Urban; Nicole Kidman
Taylor Hill/WireImage

Keith Urban Has Blunt Reaction To Radio Hosts Asking Rude Question About Nicole Kidman

Country star Keith Urban may be married to one of the biggest movie stars in the world, but that doesn't mean he'll tolerate an invasion of privacy.

The singer had a very clear and blunt response to some radio hosts in his native Australia when they asked a prying question about his wife, Nicole Kidman.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshots from TikTok of users talking about COVID Nimbus variant
@elyse.fox; @flakorub3n_; @jeulz88; @krispyclam/TikTok

Turns Out A Mystery Virus That Feels Like Swallowing Razor Blades Is Just The New COVID Variant

It's hard to believe, but it's been over five years since the terms COVID and coronavirus were introduced to the global public consciousness. The kids who attended much of their first year of high school on Zoom calls have now graduated.

On February 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled the virus causing the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak "COVID-19"—an abbreviation for COronaVIrus Disease 2019.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from Dove's ad featuring transgender women
Dove

'One Million Moms' Calls For Dove Boycott Over Hair Care Ad Featuring Trans Woman

The vehemently transphobic conservative group One Million Moms (OMM)—an arm of the Christian fundamentalist nonprofit American Family Association (AFA)—called for a boycott of Dove products after the company featured a transgender woman in an advertisement for their Damage Therapy Intensive Repair Conditioner.

The ad garnered attention after it was shared by the social media account Libs of TikTok—run by the anti-LGBTQ+ conservative Chaya Raichik—which described the ad as an example of "another woke company trying to erase women."

Keep ReadingShow less
Alyssa Milano; Julian McMahon
Michael Kovac/Elton John AIDS Foundation/Getty Images; Marcus Ingram/The Surfer/Getty Images

Alyssa Milano Shares Poignant Tribute To 'TV Husband' Julian McMahon After His Death At 56

Actor Julian McMahon lost his battle with cancer at the age of 56 earlier this week, and to say that the Charmed, Nip/Tuck, and Fantastic Four actor touched many lives would be an understatement.

When the news of McMahon's passing went public, his Charmed costar and "TV wife" Alyssa Milano came forward and expressed her sadness and condolences on Instagram. The pair were a favorite couple on Charmed, and it was clear from her post that their care for each other extended beyond the screen.

Keep ReadingShow less