Kirsten those are really interesting "things" for lack of a better word. How neat! I love the quil! I didn't realize they were that long. I wouldn't want to run into one of those!!

You are not being paranoid, you are being a good and cautious meowmie! I too would be concerned about diseases from another country. Our animals may not be immune to things that the animals in Africa are. I agree with Sirrabed that I don't think sniffing will hurt but I sure wouldn't let them chew on anything since I didn't know what the stuff was. I dont think you have anything to worry about.