I live in southernish Arizona and to be honest, I've never even considered keeping one of these toads as a pet...now I'll have to think about it. They run rampant in my yards this time of year and I spend alot of my time getting them out of the yard so my small dogs won't be poisoned. We do keep childrens liquid benedryl on hand at all times just in case the dog's curiosity gets the best of them. I've always loved the way they look but after experiencing the reaction my dogs have had to their secretions I've never had it in mind to handle them. I'm glad I read your article and posts about them, now I won't be so unsure and freaked about touching them in getting them out of harm's way.