Oh trust me it DID freak me out - not huge on handling them primarily because I'm worried I'll crunch it or something, or it will get away (trust me I'd be a bachelor at that point against my will lol) - so I was keeping a close eye in case it decided to bolt. I could feel my forehead furl up in puzzlement watching those shiny black fangs unfold and come slowly down - they seem to have amazingly fine control of them btw. I guess I just feel like a bit of a n00b not having had much experience with them - but i knew well enough not to fling it across the room at Smynx and our son (neither of whom were very thrilled to see it out and about).