Rough-skinned Newt
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| Taricha granulosa |
The rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) is a North American newt known for its strong poison. They are available in some places as pets, sometimes with names "Oregon newt" or "orange-bellied newt."
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[edit] Subspecies
T. granulosa is divided into two subspecies. Both have rough or granular skin, except for breeding males, which additionally swollen vents and cornified toe pads.
- The rough-skinned newt (T. g. granulosa) is light brown to brownish-black above with an orange or yellow belly. In some populations, the back has dark blotches. They are between 13 to 22 cm long.
- The Crater Lake newt or Mazama newt (T. g. mazamae) is darker above and brighter below than T. g. granulosa and may also have dark blotches below. The validity of this subspecies, which is exclusive to the region of Crater Lake, Oregon, is disputed by some researchers because the newts on Gravina Island, Alaska, are very similar.
[edit] Toxin
Many newts produce toxins to avoid predation, but the toxins of the genus Taricha are particularly potent. The Rough-skinned Newt produces tetrodotoxin, which in this species is sometimes called tarichatoxin, in amounts sufficient to kill a healthy adult human. The toxin is generally only toxic if the newt is ingested, although there are reports that some individuals experience skin irritation after dermal contact.
[edit] Location
Image:Roughskinnednewt.jpg habitats of rough-skinned newts are found throughout the west coast of the US. They are uncommon east of the Cascade Mountains though occasionally found (and considered exotic, and possibly artificially introduced) as far as Montana. The southern range extends to Santa Cruz, California and as far north as Alaska. <ref>Natureserve Explorer</ref>
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Hammerson (2004). Taricha granulosa. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
- Taricha granulosa: Rough-skinned Newt. Caudata Culture. Retrieved on 2006-07-26.de:Rauhäutiger Gelbbauchmolch
