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Rafter toad

An ex-toad

The Venomous Rafter Toad is a amphibian which has evidently (been?) adapted to living not in a pond or burrow, but in human-built structures' roofing . They are characterized by a bluish skin and dorsal spines. According to Violetta at least, they tend to prefer more southern climes, but at least one of them managed to make it as far north as Castle Heterodyne in Mechanicsburg before finding itself at the receiving end of one of her throwing knives.

Semi-Canonical Information[]

A footnote in the print novel Agatha H. and the Voice of the Castle offers a couple additional bits of information on the species. Their Latin taxonomy is Bufo Venenatorum Trabe Heterodyne, and they feed mainly on bloodbats and spiderroaches, other species known to infest rafters. At the current time the toads' (presumably Sparky) origin remain a mystery.

Possibly Relevant Outside Information[]

True toads are widespread and occur natively on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, inhabiting a variety of environments, from arid areas to rainforest. True toads are toothless and generally warty in appearance and have a pair of parotoid glands on the back of their heads. These glands contain an alkaloid poison which the toads excrete when stressed. The poison in the glands contains a number of toxins causing different effects. Bufotoxin is a general term, different animals contain significantly different substances and proportions of substances. Some, like the cane toad Bufo marinus, are more toxic than others [1].


References

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