No. Although frogs do urinate as a self-defense measure, the liquid itself does not contain any toxic substance. The real venom is released by the granular glands present in its skin. It is important to know, however, that the animal never attacks someone to inject this venom. “It is a kind of passive defense. The venom only contaminates someone when the animal suffers a type of aggression that causes these glands to rupture, spreading the venom and eventually reaching the aggressor”, says biologist Célio Fernando Haddad, from the State University of São Paulo (Unesp). If this happens, and the toxins are ingested or reach the mucous membranes or an open wound, the person can really become intoxicated – and if the venom gets into the eye, it can even cause blindness. The poison of certain toads can kill.
This is the case of several species of the cane toad (Bufo sp.), whose venom seriously attacks the human heart. So the best thing to do is not bother the frogs and leave them alone. “In addition to being harmless, they are extremely useful for the environment, as they control pests by preying on spiders, scorpions and insects”, says Célio.
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