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Fri Nite Frite: Truly venomous frogs

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From ScienceDaily:

Heads of Brazilian frogs are venomous weapons

It’s no surprise that some frogs secrete poison from glands in their skin. But researchers have discovered the first two species of frog, both living in Brazil, that are actually venomous. Not only do the frogs produce potent toxins, but they also have a mechanism to deliver those harmful secretions into another animal using bony spines on their heads.

The researchers’ calculations suggest that a single gram of the toxic secretion from the other frog species, A. brunoi, would be enough to kill more than 300,000 mice or about 80 humans.

“It is unlikely that a frog of this species produces this much toxin, and only very small amounts would be transferred by the spines into a wound,” Brodie says. “Regardless, we have been unwilling to test this by allowing a frog to jab us with its spines.” More.

You people were better off with the unarmed Canadian snakes, but there is no pleasing you, is there?

Comments
OT: The rainbow through the rain September 2nd will mark 70 years since the surrender of Japan to the Allies, and the end of World War Two. Justin Brierley tells the story of his grandfather, Geoffrey Mowat, whose prisoner of war experience under the Japanese led to his call to ministry within the Church of England. http://www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2015/September-2015/The-rainbow-through-the-rainbornagain77
August 15, 2015
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The French are really not that bad, News. Heck, they own nearly half of Canada!Mung
August 14, 2015
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