California newt

[tbcrow]

Is it OK to have a California newt if it is captive bred? I have been trying to find one since my 15 year old died a couple of years ago to no avail.

 

[Kaysie]

It depends on where you live. Different states have different regulations.

California newts, T. torosa, are pretty rare in the pet trade and almost never available. T. granulosa, roughskinned newts, are much more common, and occasionally offered as CB.

 

[tbcrow]

Thanks. But, aren't the rough skinned newts quite a bit more toxic?

 

[FrogEyes]

Maybe, but eating either one could kill you. If you're not planning to eat them, it shouldn't matter. All newts can be assumed to be highly toxic, regardless of species.

 

[tbcrow]

No, not planning on eating him/her. I'd like to have a pair. I always thought my last newt must have been lonely.

 

[Kaysie]

I kept granulosa for years, and only once got TTX poisoning, and it was entirely my fault.

 

[FrogEyes]

Once is all it takes - we'll assume you're avoiding a repeat

 

[Kaysie]

It was transdermal. I had a cut in my thumb and was administering injections to an ill individual. I failed to wrap up my wound first, and then wash well second. My entire arm was numb/tingly/unable to move for a full 24 hours. It's not a process I'd like to repeat.

That being said, I've handled lots of granulosa. This just happened to be a special instance where she was exuding more TTX than normal due to my giving her injections, and I had an unprotected wound.

Don't eat the newts. You'll probably die.

 

[Moonmadness]

I've been looking for some T. grans in NY, to no avail.

 

[Jubilee]

Also been looking for California and rough-skinned newts, nothing yet

 

[JReed]

I have 18 captive bred and reared Taricha granulosas juveniles, 8 months old, healthy, tame, very cute (they are about 3 inches long now). Well, let's put it this way, I'm not sure what I am going to do with all these guys once they start getting bigger (I never expected so many of the eggs to hatch and survive so well, let alone start start growing up!)

 

[JReed]

Also... just a note on the toxicity issue. As most of us on this forum know very well, newts and salamaders are toxic. Taricha granulosas especially are on the high end of the toxicity scale. However, that being said, tame and frequently handled Tarichas do not excrete the toxics onto your hands the way that freshly caught wild ones do. I know this from experience.... After owning these guys for years, you know what the toxins smell like . You know what the toxins look like. Ofcourse you wash your hands after handling Tarichas. . But tame Tarichas are very tame and I have never had any bad experiences with the toxins have owned and frequently handled this species for umpteen ( or more) years. The only time I have seen my tame well handled tachichas actively excrete toxin was when they ( for whatever reason) were physically hurt, usually due to some accident ( such as a tail getting caught under a rock that happened once) . So moral of the story: Just use common sense.

Taricha granulosa is my favorite salamander species, hands down ( and I have owned many species over the years!)

 

[CaNewtReps]

If you live in California then yes, as long as you have a sport fishing license. Check with your local Wild Life Fish and Game to see if there are any restrictions. I have a very large breeding colony, and many of my juveniles, babies, and adults will be available soon.