Rough-skinned Newt

The Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa) was originally described in 1849 by Skilton as Salamandra (Triton) granulosa. See Amphibian Species of the World.
There are no currently recognized subspecies.
Pronunciation ...

Rough-skinned Newt
Sighting:
Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Humboldt County, California ...

Rough-skinned Newt - Taricha granulosa. Newts are moderately common on the preserve, and were observed on three of four visits. Several were in the open and active on overcast days, while others were found under cover objects.

Rough-skinned Newt, Taricha granulosa
Rough-skinned Newts are large salamanders reaching total lengths up to 8 inches. They are characterized by warty skin that is not slimy, and are light brown to balck above with ayellow to orange belly.

The Taricha newts of western North America are particularly toxic; the Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa) of the Pacific Northwest produces more than enough tetrodotoxin to kill an adult human foolish enough to swallow a newt.

This family is informaly split into two groups: the smooth-skinned 'true salamaders' found predominantly in Europe and the rough-skinned newts that are more widely distributed through Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America.

[179] An example is the production of tetrodotoxin in the rough-skinned newt and the evolution of tetrodotoxin resistance in its predator, the common garter snake.

See also: Newt, Salamander, California Slender Salamander, Slender Salamander, Snake