A friend of mine once brought in a Gecko to eat her roaches. Every time she went in her kitchen it screamed "F--k you!" at her and nearly scared her to death. She was frightened of it to begin with, 'cause if they bite you ther can't let go. The story didn't have a pretty end.

Water with salt in it will take longer to boil, but it will boil hotter. Good idea not to salt it if you're cooking veggies, I think.