A modest-looking newt that contains the same neurotoxin as a pufferfish — tetrodotoxin. A single rough-skinned newt has enough toxin to kill 10–20 adult humans, and they're evolving stronger doses to keep up with toxin-resistant garter snake predators.

Also called: Rough-skinned Newt, Western Newt

Native status: Native to Pacific Northwest

§ Quick facts

SizeTotal length 12–22 cm
Weight8–25 g
LifespanWild 12–20 years
OrderCaudata
FamilySalamandridae

§ Encyclopedia

The rough-skinned newt or roughskin newt is a North American newt known for the strong toxin exuded from its skin.

Source: Wikipedia — Rough-skinned newt Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Stocky dark brown to nearly black newt with bright orange-yellow belly; rough granular skin (vs. smooth-skinned eastern newts); broad head.

Similar species. Red-bellied Newt (similar but smaller; Mendocino-Sonoma only). Sierra Newt (lower elevation; similar pattern). California Newt (drier-skinned).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects, snails, small crustaceans, small frog eggs and tadpoles.

Behavior. Among the most toxic vertebrates in North America. Skin produces tetrodotoxin (TTX) — same neurotoxin found in pufferfish — in concentrations high enough to kill many predators. Predator garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) have evolved resistance to the toxin; the evolutionary "arms race" between newt and snake has been studied for decades. Humans should never eat these or any salamander.

§ Range

Pacific Northwest from Alaska to northern California

§ Habitat

Cool moist forests, ponds, slow streams

§ Threats

Habitat loss, road mortality during breeding migrations.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the rough-skinned newt is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Don't handle newts (and absolutely don't put your hand in your mouth after). Support old-growth forest protection.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • AmphibiaWeb
  • Brodie & Brodie newt-snake coevolution research (Utah State)
  • Oregon State University
  • IUCN Red List 2014