Travelers and frogs

Frogs are part of the natural world as both predator and prey. By eating insects they benefit agriculture and minimize disease spread and are important throughout the world.

Their skin also has substances that protect them from germs, offering possible medicines.

Sparganosis

In many cultures poultices made from raw frog or snake meat are applied to wounds. This can cause an unusual parasitic infection – sparganosis, with painful worm infestations. Eating raw frogs also transmits this parasite.

Salmonella

Handling turtles, frogs and snakes may transmit salmonella (a bacterium related to typhoid). Washing your hands after handling reptiles and amphibians prevents this.

Interestingly in 2006, in the UK a Cadbury chocolate frog brand was also linked with salmonella outbreaks. Whether handling a real or chocolate frog - it's the sanitation that counts.

Poison Dart Frog

The colorful poison dart frogs of Central America have been used for poisoned arrow tips. In Costa Rica one guide showed us the relatively harmless “blue jean” frog and allowed me to handle it. Another traveler did the same but because he had small scratches in his hands they became numb from the mild poison. Other more toxic species can kill people.

Toad Licking

Toad licking either the Cane Toad or Sonoran Desert Toad has been tried by some for its hallucinatory effects.

The Cane Toad Bufo marinus is a poisonous pest in Australia and is responsible for the destruction of wildlife from either animals it eats or poisoning animals that eat it!

The Desert Toad Bufo alvarius found in the US and Mexico has enough venom to kill a dog. Enthusiasts either lick it or try smoking its venom!

Toad venom is a controlled substance and although possession of the toad itself is not a crime (in Arizona one may legally bag up to ten toads with a fishing license). It is illegal if one is in possession of this toad with the intent to milk and smoke its venom (Trafficking of toads).

California, Arizona, and New Mexico all do not allow removal of the toad from the state.

The bottom line on toad licking or smoking is that is it more likely to cause a distressing hallucination and is not pleasant and has been linked with some deaths.

Frog Jumping contests

Desert Toads also live near the site of Mark Twain's 1865 story “ The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”.

After the arrest of a couple for possessing venom from four toads Calaveras narcotics agents worried that there was a cult of toad abusers in the region. This was not the case but evidence suggests there is at least an underground group of toad aficionados (users but not traffickers).

The Calaveras County Jumping Frog Jubilee still celebrates Twain and has their event in May (www.frogtown .org).

Closer to home St -Pierre-Jolys Frog Follies (www.frogfollies.com) happens midsummer from July 31 - August 3 involving over 1000 frogs.

Krista B Our Clinic Travel Nurse and former Frog follies frog catcher describes how frogs are caught using long nets from the local Rat (Red) river then lodged in a temperature managed room for the weekend and released after.

Competitors of all ages are welcome for cash prizes

The Frog follies are a great way to appreciate our local frogs without worrying about diseases. We certainly could use more frogs in Winnipeg to keep our mosquitoes down.

Frogs as a warning

Since the 1980s there as been a decline in amphibian populations thought to be from global warming .The once abundant golden toad went extinct in 1989. Amphibians breathe through their skin and are thought to be more sensitive to pollutants, pesticides, invasive fungus disease, and loss of habitat. Healthy populations of frogs also reflect healthy environments so frogs are definitely worth watching for all our sakes.

Figure 1 Poison Dart Frog -Blue jean frog

Photo G Podolsky for distribution