A toxic chemical compound found in the skin secretions of certain toads, used historically in traditional medicine and by some species for defense.
From bufo (Latin for 'toad') + -gin or -genic (producing or causing). Derived from the scientific study of toad poison compounds in the early 20th century.
Bufagin is a toad's chemical weapon—some animals evolved to produce poison so powerful that it was used as a heart drug and a hallucinogenic, making toads literal pharmacies that walk on lily pads!
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