Rough-skinned newts are common and regularly seen on the west coast of British Columbia. Knowing something about these cute wandering amphibians can be a great way to start conversations. I recently had a call from a woman in Parksville today who had discovered a rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). She was wondering if she had reason to be concerned because she had eaten after handling the amphibian. A valid question to ask in relation to this species.
The skin of the rough-skinned newt contains tetrodotoxin which if ingested blocks nerve impulses. Their orange belly is a warning to predators to think twice about eating them. Fortunately, newts are docile and gentle amphibians. They only release the toxin if they are extremely agitated. Interestingly, according to the RBCM Handbook Amphibians and Reptiles of British Columbia, tetrodotoxin has not been found on the skin of rough-skinned newts on Vancouver Island. Regardless, the suggestion is that you wash your hands after handling (gently) a rough-skinned newt.
The phone call reminded me that with the fall rains it is common to see newts moving through the forest. The photographs in this post are from October a couple of years ago. These beautiful amphibians are a delight to see and photograph. Watch for them crossing roads and trails through dark old-growth forest with a lot of leaf litter on the ground. If there’s a swamp or pond nearby there is a good chance that you may see a rough-skinned newt! They also migrate in the spring from wintering areas under rotting logs to ponds, wetlands, and streams to breed. Their slow deliberate pace is hard to miss and easy to enjoy!
Great story and great shot 😉
Merci Dominic – thanks for the comment. I had a look at your blog – wonderful photography! I’ll definitely be checking it regularly.
I saw one of these today, I nearly stepped on it. It was sunning its self on the path. With some gentle encouragement with a stick, I did get a look at the beautiful orange belly. Interesting little guy, he was completely still when I was admiring him.
I live in Metchosin BC
Very cool Alison – it is that time of year!
Thanks for the help in identifying this little guy. We just saw one on an asphalt path at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Victoria.
This spring there were dozens of them in the pond there, writhing and climbing all over each other – we assumed they had just been born.
Hi Pat – nice to know that there’s still plenty of biodiversity in Victoria and that this post was able to help you in your identification of this very cute amphibian. Very cool to have sighted rough-skinned newts in an urban setting!
I found on in my backyard, I live near langford lake should I relocate him back to the lake?
hello! I found one if these little guys by my door, I live near a lake but it is quite a walk away…should I relocate him?
Hi Katie – as long as they have something to shelter under they should be OK, they do tend to travel quite a ways. Do you have an outside wood pile or some leaves that you could put it near?
Sept. 27, 2014 We think we have a rough-skinned newt( a baby) living in our house. Is there a way of trapping it and getting it back outside? Also,we have a cat. Is the cat ( who would hunt if he was allowed outside) likely to go after this newt?
Thanks.
Jan
Hi Jan,
Having a newt living in a house would be a bit unusual – the young are aquatic so perhaps it is a juvenile (or maybe a salamander which could be smaller)? Newts are generally pretty slow and easy to catch. Cats are predatory animals and it would likely try to catch the newt. Might be a problem if the cat actually ate the newt, since the rough-skinned newt is poisonous.
I saw a orange belly salamander in the water up near Agassiz logging roads…west view Mountain Road..of Hwy 7 B.C. this long Aug weekend got picture. They was lot of this little guys living in water… I have never seen this in BC before I have been on lots of logging roads.every see this before.