Mandragora Toad

Well ma'am, if you're insistent on going out into the jungle, just... don't touch any of the brightly colored flora. The gentlemen over there learned the hard way, and they'll be stuck like that for a few more weeks yet. They're just lucky some of the other expedition members were nearby to drive the toad off.
-Interview with expedition doctor, Prosperity Hansa

Many people do not think much of the humble toad. Eater of insects, enjoyer of water. Of course, most don't have to deal with a toad the size of a pole barn attempting to consume them.   The Mandragora Toad is one example of large amphibian, but made notable by it's hunting method. That is, the deployment of a sizable and vibrantly colored flower as a lure while the toad remains hidden beneath the soil.   The lure itself is actually the toad's tongue, stuck out and held above the soil as the toad works it's way into the ground to hide itself. Once deployed, several flaps unfold to mimic a flower, meanwhile the toad deploys a scent from the "flower" to draw in prey animals. Having caught the scent myself and made aware of it's origins, I can say that it is a rather sweet scent in the way of confections, with a tea-like earthy undertone. While a human would not be drawn in as immediately as, say, the jungles various small mammals, they still might be drawn to the flower out of sheer curiosity. Keep that in mind, dear reader, should you take an adventurous leg in life. Curiosity can kill you just as easy as any feline.    Any being that is drawn towards the flower enough to touch it in any way will then have to deal with an incredibly strong paralytic agent secreted from the toads tongue, which is more than able to be absorbed through the skin, and even thin gloves, if my sources remain correct. If left unnatended, this is the end for prey, as the toad will soon emerge from it's earthen hiding place to feed, before burying itself once more to continue it's hunt while it digests.    If you manage to be saved by valorous compatriots, then you will still have to contend with the fact that your musculature will remain paralyzed for weeks on end. Thankfully, things like the diaphram generally remain unnafected, though they can suffer the same effect when there is prolongued exposure to the paralytic, but care will have to be provided for movment, eating, and several other more unsavory bodily functions until the effects finally wear off.
The toad can remain hidden beneath the soil for days at a time, especially when the soil they are burying themselves within is properly moistened. After heavy rains, they can remain underneath for a week or more; relying on the nutrition that small animals that touch the toads lure tongue while it waits for a more substantial meal.


Cover image: by Night Cafe Image Generation, User Provided Prompt

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