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Some kids have been telling me that catching frogs will cause warts. Are they right?

Matthew Clark, Farmington

Toads and, sometimes, frogs look warty, but they do not have or cause warts. Human warts are caused by a virus, which frogs and toads don't have and, therefore, can't transmit. However, toads and frogs do have glands that release a foul-tasting substance when they are grabbed by a predator. Toads generally produce stronger-tasting secretions. A few tropical species even release a poison that can kill a predator. The skin secretions of Missouri's toads and frogs won't harm you unless it gets into your eyes. Then you will feel pain and burning that you will remember for a long time. It's better to wash your hands after handling toads or frogs.

Will a turkey sit on another turkey's egg?

Anealia Young, 11, Truxton

Turkeys are highly social birds, but they nest and raise their young by themselves. In the wild, they do not incubate the eggs of another turkey.

Where do box turtles live? Can they be found in a small country town? Where do snapping turtles live? How many species of turtles are there in Missouri?

Clay Willingham, Sturgeon

Missouri has 21 species and subspecies of turtles, including two species of box turtles and two species of snapping turtles. The three-toed box turtle lives throughout the state except in the extreme northern and northwestern counties. The ornate box turtle lives everywhere except for the southeast corner. I'll bet you can find both of these in your town. The common snapping turtle lives throughout Missouri. The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the world. It lives in the south and eastern parts of the state.