Hello folks!

Before I begin, I'm aware that there will be individuals who express ethical concerns. I hope to address those matters within this post, while also sharing my ideas and plan.

It's become well known that Bufo alvarius (aka Kikker, Colorado River Toad, and Sonoran Desert Toad) toads contain a blend of interesting alkaloids in ther toxins that they secrete. One of the more sought-after tryptamines, 5-MeO-DMT, is one of the alkaloids that is found in the toads' secretion.

Due to this natural source of 5-MeO-DMT, these toads are beginning to become a popular commodity in the recreational and spiritual realm of psychedelics. People have been collecting the toads and "milking" them for their secreted toxins. The secretion is then dried and vaporized.

This increase in popularity poses some issues. The toads have begun to decrease in numbers in the areas where they would naturally be found. Human collection, as well as spread of diseases have contributed to the decrease. In some of the states that they inhabit, they are protected, while other states do not list them as a species that has threat of extinction. The state of California has designated them as endangered, and New Mexico lists them as threatened.

This led me to question my own ethical position about Bufo alvarius. I was intrigued by their ability to biosynthesis such powerful compounds, yet I have personal conflictions about mistreatment of animals for my own vanity. I wondered if there would be any ways to find a compromise that protects the animals, without removing them from their habitat, but also allows for a non-harmful method to milk the toads. Upon research, I found that there are individuals, and groups, who have been working together to breed the toads in captivity.

I began to research as much as I could about their captive care, and also asking some people who have them as pets for advice. I began to wonder... what IF I could breed the toads? I've been involved in different conservation projects through various charitable organizations in relation to aquatic organisms - specifically coral and certain fish. I am aware of the difficulty and labor that accompanies rearing the young creatures. It is almost a full time "job." Though, I made no money!!! Lolololol.

It was a labor of love.

Soon, my interests in the toads shifted from "breeding and maybe milking" to "breed them and start an organization to redistribute them to their natural habitats and also offer free trios of toads to folks who are interested in breeding them."

IF, and a really big "IF," they are successfully bred, I will ask a good friend to build a simple website so that interested breeders could fill out an application, questionnaire, send pictures of their "habitat" or enclosure, and sign an electronic waiver that they would not "milk" the toads for their alkaloid blend.

This is by no means an advertisement. I'm simply sharing my thoughts, welcoming your thoughts and criticism, and trying to do something that might help conserve an exquisite animal.



I've always had a connection with toads - ever since I was a little kid. When I first met Kikker, he was in a biker gang... man, he's come a long way since then...
Oh, yeah. I introduce to you, Kikker and crew!

At first regarding the Picture of the Toad on the Bike - Awesome, that made me smile ararhar Hahaha.

Concerning the true content:

Yeah it seems bad that the toads are getting a kind of unwanted interest or attract people that may possibly not treat them correctly : S

If you can breed them, Good Luck! Would be cool if you could help those little guys not getting more decimated in the wildlife Oô

It would just seem unbelievable if I shared the story about that toad; so I'll savor it as a blissful memory of the magic that happened once-upon-a-time.... When I didn't have the current life experience and expectations.


And, thank you for the encouragement. I think it is going to be a challenge. The plan was - we get 6 captive bred toads that are younger and the gender has not yet been determined. We accounted for an unpredictable ratio of males/females. My friend will get one pair, and I will keep the other four. I am hoping that we got 3 males and 3 females, but they are still too young to tell. The largest is about the size of a tennis ball and the smallest is about the size of a golf ball.

So, no matter what, I would have maximum of 4 toads. Once they have hit sexual maturity and genders determined, we'll separate them and begin simulating the natural breeding conditions.

If successful, I will record the experience and share it with the Nexus. However, if we do offer them to other people who are interested in preservation/conservation, I will not disclose that website or the name of the "organization" on the Nexus. It may pose a risk of being doxxed. I am most concerned with their well-being, so it would not be an entheogenic themed project.

I am sharing this here, because it WAS the entheogenic properties of the toad toxins that generated initial interest in preserving these excellent creatures. Plus, I saw the picture of my old friend... and it made me think of the times that we shared together during those late summer evenings.... Kinda struck a note in my heart.


Take Care,
ACY