California Newt (Taricha torosa)

OTHER NAMES: Orange-bellied Newt
Latin Etymology: Taricha ("pickled meat") torosa ("muscle")

Larval California Newt (Taricha torosa) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 6-11g  /  Length: 5-8cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

One of the most toxic species in the world is this fairly innocuous species of newt, which is aquires by consumption of bacteria synthesising tetrodotoxin, believed to be an evolutionary arms race with garter snakes, who have developed a resistance to the toxin, with the newts being excessively toxic for most predators. Endemic to California, it is largely found in the coastal parts of the state.

Related Species:
Order: Caudata
Family: Salamandridae
Genus: Triturus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Endemic to California, primarily coastally
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa)

OTHER NAMES: Roughskin Newt
Latin Etymology: Taricha ("pickled meat") granulosa ("granulous")

Adullt Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha torosa) at Berkeley, California - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Taricha granulosa granulose
Weight: g/kg  /  Length: 11-18cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A close relation of the California Newt, the Rough-skinned is difficult to separate, although they have a different breeding season and a number of subtle differences in appearances which can be used to separate them. Like the Californian newt, they also produce particularly powerful poisons capable of killing creatures far larger than them, including humans if ingested.

Related Species:
Order: Caudata
Family: Salamandridae
Genus: Taricha
SUBSPECIES: T. g. granulose, T. g. mazamae

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 

Endemic to California, primarily coastally
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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