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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Exploding Toads Baffle Experts
2005-04-25
Scientists in Hamburg, Germany, are baffled by the strange deaths of hundreds of toads after they apparently exploded in and around a pond, according to a Local 6 News report. As many as 1,000 toads have died after their bodies swelled to bursting point and then exploded, according to reports from animal welfare workers and veterinarians.The area around the pond in Hamburg has been cordoned off as experts investigate the dead toads. Scientists are looking at a fungus that may have been spread by foreign race horses from a nearby track, Local 6 News reported Sunday.
Posted by:Steve

#20  :)
Posted by: Shipman   2005-04-25 6:08:00 PM  

#19  handiwork of Karl Toad
Posted by: thibaud (aka lex)   2005-04-25 4:13:57 PM  

#18  "jewism"? Clearly my vocabulary is not as large as I'd believed.
Posted by: trailing wife   2005-04-25 3:59:03 PM  

#17  Don't worry the German mainstream media will some how find that it's all the evil Amis fault.
Posted by: Sock Puppet 0’ Doom   2005-04-25 3:14:25 PM  

#16  Amphibian variant DMS (drunk monkey syndrome) offers an area for inquiry.
Posted by: Tkat   2005-04-25 2:47:21 PM  

#15  Carl, LOL but not quite good enough: I can almost understand that one.
Posted by: Matt   2005-04-25 1:05:52 PM  

#14  I'm with BrerRabbitt.

In the place I grew up, scientists would have found plenty of "splodey toads", if they had bothered to look.

But scientists back in those days probably had more important things to muse over.

I guess nowadays the grant money market is sufficiently large that they can carve out their own niche.

Such as, ohfrinstance, "Research into the effect of alien horse fungi on amphibian body size as a function of time".
Posted by: Carl in N.H.   2005-04-25 12:57:37 PM  

#13  It's the Pope's fault!!!
Posted by: Andy Sullivan   2005-04-25 12:30:51 PM  

#12  I'd look for a young boy with firecrackers.
Posted by: BrerRabbit   2005-04-25 12:22:49 PM  

#11  For a minute I thought it was about this.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of product: Toad Lawn Ball Sprinkler Units: 4,000 Manufacturer: Midwest, of Cannon Falls, Minn.Hazard: A small hose inside the toad can fail, allowing water to fill the toad's cavity. The increased water pressure can cause the toad to explode, posing the risk of injury to anyone nearby.Incidents/Injuries: There have been eight incidents involving the lawn balls exploding, though no injuries or property damage have been reported.Description: The green, frog-shaped sprinkler is 6 1/2 inches long, 6 1/2 inches wide and 7 inches tall. The recalled lawn balls have a label on the bottom that includes the model number 738449 508893 and the words, "Made in China."Sold at: Drug, flower, garden, and gift stores nationwide sold the sprinklers from August 2002 through June 2003 for between $25 and $30.Remedy: The sprinklers should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund.Consumer Contact: For more information about the recall, consumers can call Midwest at (800) 776-2075 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or log onto their Web site at www.midwestofcannonfalls.com
Posted by: Col. Flagg   2005-04-25 11:40:53 AM  

#10  OK, I will say it:

Toads, why do they hate themselves????"
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2005-04-25 11:35:42 AM  

#9  Aw be nice. Have a cookie and milk.
Posted by: Shipman   2005-04-25 11:18:50 AM  

#8  Toads... I heard they were 'Mohels' lol. Gee... Jewism is such a mind twisting cult eh.
Posted by: Fas Kickn-As   2005-04-25 11:12:33 AM  

#7  Time for a little targeted gigging to remind the amphibians of their place on the chain '0 life.
Posted by: Shipman   2005-04-25 11:09:54 AM  

#6  Obviously a result of the toads' grinding poverty.
Posted by: Pappy   2005-04-25 10:55:34 AM  

#5  I sense Rumsfeld's hand at work here.
Posted by: Matt   2005-04-25 10:26:36 AM  

#4  Bravo Sea!
Posted by: ed   2005-04-25 10:24:21 AM  

#3  Maybe the Germans haven't been sufficiently respectful toward their stupid toad religion.
Posted by: BH   2005-04-25 10:22:29 AM  

#2  The "Salafist Group for Croaking and Combat"
Posted by: Seafarious   2005-04-25 10:17:51 AM  

#1  Wahabi toads?
Posted by: ed   2005-04-25 10:13:13 AM  

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