Comments on: Newt Toxins: Personal Observations and Interesting Facts – Part II http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2009/07/06/newt-toxins-personal-observations-and-interesting-facts-part-ii/ That Pet Place Reptile Blog Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:38:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: findiviglio http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2009/07/06/newt-toxins-personal-observations-and-interesting-facts-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-2649 findiviglio Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:54:55 +0000 http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/?p=449#comment-2649 Hello Heather, Frank Indiviglio here. Thanks for your interest in our blog. The toxins are only effective upon entering a cut or the mouth or eyes, so be sure he washes well. Newts shouldn’t be handled if possible, because doing so also removes the protective slime on their skin, leaving them open to bacterial attack – best to use wet hands if they must be moved. California has 50-55 newt/ salamander species, many of which fit your description, and care/proper habitat varies with the species. Please check this link to <a href="http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/salamanderspics.html" rel="nofollow">California’s Salamanders</a>, which has photos of all of the state’s species. Once you’ve identified the animals, please write back and I’ll go over their care and feeding. You may also wish to check with your state Fish& Wildlife Dept., as several species are protected and should not be collected. Good luck and please let me know what you discover, Best regards, Frank Indiviglio. Hello Heather, Frank Indiviglio here.

Thanks for your interest in our blog.

The toxins are only effective upon entering a cut or the mouth or eyes, so be sure he washes well. Newts shouldn’t be handled if possible, because doing so also removes the protective slime on their skin, leaving them open to bacterial attack – best to use wet hands if they must be moved.

California has 50-55 newt/ salamander species, many of which fit your description, and care/proper habitat varies with the species. Please check this link to California’s Salamanders, which has photos of all of the state’s species.

Once you’ve identified the animals, please write back and I’ll go over their care and feeding. You may also wish to check with your state Fish& Wildlife Dept., as several species are protected and should not be collected.

Good luck and please let me know what you discover,

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

]]> By: Heather H. http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2009/07/06/newt-toxins-personal-observations-and-interesting-facts-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-2647 Heather H. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:10:40 +0000 http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/?p=449#comment-2647 Hi Frank, We caught 2 newts in a creek nearby our house here in northern california. My 7 year old handled them but thankfully he didn't get numb hands. I had no idea they were this toxic! They are brown with slimey skin...do these ones have toxic skin too? Should we take them back to the creek? We put them in a beautiful terrarium. They've laid many eggs too... Do you know what they like to eat? We got some blood worms and "Newt Food " from the pet store. Does that sound right? Thank you! Sincerley, Heather Hi Frank,
We caught 2 newts in a creek nearby our house here in northern california. My 7 year old handled them but thankfully he didn’t get numb hands. I had no idea they were this toxic! They are brown with slimey skin…do these ones have toxic skin too? Should we take them back to the creek? We put them in a beautiful terrarium. They’ve laid many eggs too… Do you know what they like to eat? We got some blood worms and “Newt Food ” from the pet store. Does that sound right?
Thank you! Sincerley,
Heather

]]> By: findiviglio http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2009/07/06/newt-toxins-personal-observations-and-interesting-facts-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-1391 findiviglio Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:37:34 +0000 http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/?p=449#comment-1391 Hello Dawn, Frank Indiviglio here. Nice to hear from you again, thanks for your continued interest in our blog. It is indeed true…I’ve read of at least 2 well-authenticated cases, published in Herpetologica over the years, and have spoken with a herpetologist in California (all fatalities cases seem to have occurred there) who was called in as a consultant at one point. Good luck, enjoy and please stay in touch. Best regards, Frank Indiviglio. Hello Dawn, Frank Indiviglio here. Nice to hear from you again, thanks for your continued interest in our blog.

It is indeed true…I’ve read of at least 2 well-authenticated cases, published in Herpetologica over the years, and have spoken with a herpetologist in California (all fatalities cases seem to have occurred there) who was called in as a consultant at one point.

Good luck, enjoy and please stay in touch.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

]]> By: Dawn http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/2009/07/06/newt-toxins-personal-observations-and-interesting-facts-part-ii/comment-page-1/#comment-1385 Dawn Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:56:44 +0000 http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog/?p=449#comment-1385 I've heard that college students have swallowed them (similar to the goldfish-swallowing craze) and died. Can this be true? I’ve heard that college students have swallowed them (similar to the goldfish-swallowing craze) and died. Can this be true?

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