Redspotted - toxic?

[magicmom4]

My son picked up a redspotted (eastern) newt while camping (I believe I have pin-pointed the type). Now I am doing research and found a few articles that say they are toxic. What does this mean? Seeing that my children are small... I'm a bit nervous now and would appreciate any quick info.

Thank you.

 

[nate]

Well, they are very toxic...if eaten. Other than eating them, there's no real danger, but be sure you or your kids wash your hands after handling them, because if you forget and accidentally rub your eyes, it can be quite unpleasant! It's like getting some soap or detergent in your eyes.

Also, newts are not animals that should be handled often like other pets, they have very sensitive skin and our warm, salty hands are not good for them. Like fish, they are mainly to be looked at.

 

[shawn]

take it from me i learned the hard way a few times lol. like today i was working on my tank and taking a look at one of my red spotteds since it looked like it had bumps around its tail area and shortly afterword not thinking i rubbed my eye and gosh darn did it burn lol a shower and a bottle of saline later and it finally died down. still a bit itchy but ouch worse than getting teeth pulled lol
Wolfie

 

[kaysie]

Um, most (if not all) newts and salamanders have toxic secretions. Thats why you dont lick them or handle them without washing your hands first.

 

[andrea]

why would you want to lick a newt anyway? :-D Yea, they are fine as long as you wash your hands. But it's the same with any animal. You should always wash your hands after handling any small animal, herp, or even strange dogs and cats!

 

[kaysie]

Erm, No one mentioned licking a newt. But you shouldnt handle your salamanders unless totally unavoidable, in order to not irritate them and transfer bacteria to them.

 

[andrea]

Kaysie... i was making a joke to what you said.... "Thats why you dont lick them or handle them without washing your hands first. "

 

[john]

is this a red spot newt?

 

[joan]

No, that's a red or mud salamander, Pseudotriton, as far as I know. Maybe one of the experts will chime in.

 

[jeff]

Looks like P. ruber to me.

 

[TJ]

It's what you call a Northern Red Salamander. It mimics the red eft's coloring so predators won't eat it. This is a red-spotted newt (red eft.)