Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad: Myths & Risks of Contact

No. Licking an Oriental fire-bellied toad or any other toad species will not give you hallucinations.

Oriental fire-bellied toads secrete poison from glands on their skin as a defense against predators. This poison is called bufotoxin, and it can cause the following symptoms if it comes into contact with human skin or is ingested:

- Temporary blindness

- Increased salivation

- Burning or stinging sensation in the mouth

- Nausea

- Vomiting

- Diarrhea

- Headache

- Dizziness

- Tingling or numbness in the extremities

In severe cases, bufotoxin can be fatal.