Rough Skinned Newt

Handle with care! This little guy is extremely poisonous. You can pick him up (he doesn't secrete his poison, it's contained in his skin), but try to eat him and you'll die… he produces the same type of poison that the infamous puffer fish does.

comments (7)

travismorhardt

Lion

A very cool find! Where did you see him at? What kind of habitat was he in? Elevation low or high? Posted 10 years ago

morpheme

Lion

low elevation, a park with a lake surrounded by a small section of remaining old growth forest, though they don't need old growth to survive. They are fairly common near fresh water here. A researcher recalled trapping 500 in one night in one trap! There's an interesting newspaper article here: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20030224&slug=newt24m

He was just walking across the path - probably heading back down to the lake. We corralled him a bit when someone with a dog came up behind us - I was thinking more of the newt, but it turns out it was better for dog. Posted 10 years ago, modified 10 years ago
1. travismorhardt
  
  Lion
  
  I have always been intrigued by salamanders and newts, but have never really spent the time looking for them. It may be a bit too cold to go looking for them with any success right now here in north Idaho, but I will keep this in mind for spring. Really interesting article, too! Thanks for the info! Posted 10 years ago

Lilygirl

Lion

This is a wonderful photograph. You talked me out of eating one. Posted 10 years ago, modified 10 years ago

morpheme

Lion

ha - it must be a good year for newts - I just found this headline on a local news site "Hundreds of newts descend on Olympia man's yard" Posted 10 years ago
1. travismorhardt
  
  Lion
  
  He better keep his pets locked up! Posted 10 years ago