Mr. Miscione was speaking at a Father’s Day at the Carr House, mostly reassuring his audience that snakes, spiders and other creepy crawlies are not as much of a worry as some people fear. Although most of his talk was focused on snakes, he did include a reference to Bufo Alvarius, telling people that they should be very careful about handling the Sonoran Desert toad. He did not make any reference to any possible recreational or entheogenic usage of the venom.

But, for anyone who keeps one of these toads as a pet, you should be reminded of what Mr. Miscione said about the habits and diet of the Sonoran Desert Toad.

“It’s generally nocturnal and will eat just about anything that crosses its path from bugs to mice to other toads and frogs.”

The complete article, titled ”Amphibians, snakes, other reptiles aren’t to be feared says herpetologist” can be found online at http://www.svherald.com/articles/2009/06/22/news/doc4a3eff65d4217790645129.txt.

There is perhaps no other creature that has been so mythologized, feared, and misunderstood as the toad. Indeed, the toad has long been associated with black magic, poison, and death. At the same time, however, toads have been considered symbols of fertility, love, and health by alchemists, gypsies, and all manner of ancient peoples. In a more modern context, toads have enjoyed increasing popularity as easy-to-keep, unique pets. With options ranging from the garden-variety American toad to the more exotic Oriental fire-bellied toad, keeping a pet toad can be an education unto itself, provided you learn the following valuable pet toad care pointers first!

While your methods of toad pet care will depend largely upon the individual needs of the species you choose as a companion, there a few basic “rules” that should be heeded. The first rule as that most toads don’t take kindly to being held or touched. While there is no truth to the old wives’ tale that says touching a toad will cause warts, it is true that toads will secrete a toxic, defensive substance from their skin when they feel threatened. To that end, you should always wash your hands if you must touch your pet toad, but you should also keep in mind that the reason your toad feels threatened in the first place is because you’re many, many times larger than it is! Toads are not wired to respond to affection like a cat or dog, therefore, they are best enjoyed happily dwelling in an enclosure that resembles their natural habitat as closely as possible-an appropriately appointed living space.

Your pet toad care success depends largely upon selecting a secure, adaptable home for your toad. Aquariums are always best, whether your toad is a land-dweller or a water lover as they allow for maximum viewing potential while keeping your toad safe from harm. Outfit your aquarium with a snug-fitting mesh top that will provide adequate ventilation, and ensure that your toad has enough room to hop and swim about. A good rule of thumb is that a single medium-sized toad should be given at least ten gallons worth of aquarium. Nearly all toads enjoy water to some extent-some pretty much live in it, climbing out only occasionally to rest, feed, or breathe while others spend most of their time grubbing around on land, entering the water only to drink or have a little swim. Once you’ve learned your toad’s species-specific preferences, you can devote your time to building a realistic habitat. For instance, if your toad is a native to wet forests, give him lots of leaf cover, moss, and a few lush, live plants to enjoy. If your toad is a prairie dweller, he’ll need flat rocks, a stand of tall grass, and a small pool to lounge in.

As you consider your pet toad care checklist, keep in mind that you’ll have to account for your toad’s dietary needs, even if you’re squeamish about things like insects and worms. Most toads sold in the pet store will enjoy a steady diet of crickets, provided the crickets are dusted occasionally with a vitamin-rich powder (also available at pet stores). Toads may also enjoy earthworms or wax worms. Some toads have considerably more exotic dietary needs, and may need to be fed mice or goldfish to maintain their health and happiness, so always take care to consult a reputable book or salesperson before bringing your new toad home.

While owning a toad may not be for everyone, learning the ins and outs of pet toad care can make for a rewarding, unique, and perhaps even magical pet ownership experience for those who are up to the task. As you learn more and more about the varying needs, habitats, and mythologies behind these fascinating creatures, you’ll soon be ready for a toad of your very own. Educate yourself well and head to the pet store. You may just return home with a new best friend.

About The Author: Barry S. Mcgee is a pet enthusiast. His site at: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline provides advice and information on all aspects of pet care for all types of pets including dogs, cats, ferrets and others and makes it easier for pet owners to choose the best solution for their companion’s care.

For answers to all your pet care questions, please visit: http://www.squidoo.com/petcareonline

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Anyone in the USA who is interested to buy a Bufo Alvarius toad should visit Bouncing Bear Botanicals. They cannot ship outside the USA.

We recently watched a video that seems to circumvent very nicely this situation. Here is a link to that video: http://paco-capuchin.livejournal.com/7748.html

If you watch the video, you will get an excellent idea of how to extract the toad’s venom without actually having broken any laws by showing too much on camera.

You will notice that the on-camera presenter refers to having received her bufo alvarius toad from Bouncing Bear Botanicals. This is the company we also recommend. In addition to Bufo Alvarius, or Sonoran Desert Toad or Colorado River Toads, Bouncing Bear Botanicals also sell Ayahuasca Vine, Amanita muscaria mushrooms, San Pedro cactus, Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds and many other entheogenic plants.

Buy Ethnobotanicals and ethnogens at Bouncing Bear Botanicals

This website is primarily concerned with how to make a Colorado River toad purchase. We have been in contact with a very reputable Colorado River toad supplier, Bouncing Bear Botanicals, located in Kansas. Whether you want to purchase a pair and try breeding Bufo alvarius toad, or simply want to make a single Bufo alvarius order buy, the folks at Bouncing Bear have been very helpful and knowledgeable. We get the impression they really care to make sure the toads people purchase from them are well cared for and looked after.

Also on their web site is a great deal of information about setting up a comfortable Bufo alvarius terrarium, making sure it is quiet and dark. Basically, you want to set up an environment for them that replicates as well as possible the Sonora desert environment they are accustomed to living in. Just look for the link that says “Click Here for Bufo Alvarius Care Sheet.”

The Colorado River Toad, also called the Sonoran Desert Toad is scientifically named Bufo Alvarius and is noted for the hallucinogenic or psychedelic properties of its venom. A large olive brown to black toad with distinctive, large, oval to sausage-shaped glands located on some of the upper surfaces of all limbs. It is the largest toad that lives in the Sonoran Desert. One to four white warts occur just behind the angle of the mouth. The iris is dark brown or black

The known range of Bufo Alvarius extends from southeastern California into lowland Arizona and extreme southwestern New Mexico in the United States and southward into the states of Sonora and northern Sinaloa, Mexico. Colorado River toads are documented to occur up the Colorado River from Fort Yuma to the Blythe-Ehrenberg region, and historically, likely extended up the Colorado River bottomlands to extreme southern Nevada near Fort Mojave. In California, Bufo alvarius was historically present along the channel of the lower Colorado River and in the southern Imperial Valley. This toad ranges in elevation from near sea level to 1615 meters. It is often captured by individuals desiring the psychedelic or hallucinogenic effects of its venom.

Colorado River toads generally appear just before summer showers, and congregate and breed in temporary pools after the rains begin. Seven to eight thousand eggs are laid in long strings and are claimed to be distinctive in lacking an outer jelly envelope and any partitions between individual eggs. Adults may be long-lived; individuals are known to have survived over 9 years in captivity. Bufo alvarius has a rather mixed diet that includes insects. The skin toxins and parotoid poison of Bufus alvarius protect it from some predators, but others such as raccoons can avoid the toxins to prey on these toads.

Recently, law enforcement officers confiscated several shipments of Bufo alvarius that were in route to California. One Arizona raid resulted in the confiscation of 62 Colorado River toads because of the psychedelic or hallucinogenic effects of its venom. These toads were intended to be used in the drug culture trade where individuals try to become intoxicated from licking the skin of toads , or by smoking dried venom extracted (milked) from the parotoid glands. The problem is extensive enough that some states have passed laws against toad licking. The venom of toads including Bufo alvarius is currently classified as controlled substance.