>From: Judy Cooke <[log in to unmask]> >But seriously, is it okay for him to play with the toad? Could the toad >hurt him-and I don't mean drag him off into the bushes and whip him >senseless! I know that some reptiles and amphibians secret harmful stuff. Toads do indeed secrete some nasty tasting and irritating stuff from the two big glands behind their head. It's designed to keep them from being eaten. If you've ever seen a dog grab a toad, you probably also seen that dog spit the toad out post haste and shake his head going "yuck yuck yucky YUCK!". I wouldn't let Tyson play with toads if you can help it. It might not really hurt him, but it will be very unpleasant for him if he gets that secretion in his mouth. It might make him sort of sick - I really don't know, but better safe than sorry. Sorry Tyson! Toads won't give anyone warts - that's an old wives tale. And while we're on the subject of herps, not only Komodo dragons but also other male lizards as well as snakes have what are known as hemipenes. Double your pleasure, double your fun... no, wait.. that's a gum commercial... never mind. Anyway, they have two, but they only use one at a time. Karen [log in to unmask]