Taricha Torosa And their tetrodooxin

[tomthlee]

Taricha and a certain species of garter snake are locked in an "arms race". There are garter snakes on the west coast that have evolved the ability to tolerate TTX. The Taricha evolutionary response has been to become increasingly toxic, while the snakes became increasingly tolerant. The snakes pay a price though, as some of their nerve cells don't work as well, so they are generally slow and not well adapted to catching prey that moves faster than newts.

Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xlkj-NoZyn0

(Check out the sweet snake grab at 1:37!)

 

[Jennewt]

That's an awesome video! I have read about the Dr Brodies and their research, but it's neat to see and hear them.

After the "snake grab" comes the gross part - regurgitated newt!

 

[sde]

toxicity varies with location

I have read that this is true as well. Apparently population in northern Oregon are the most toxic, populations in Washington is less toxic, and populations on Vancouver Island BC are least toxic, and apparently aren't very toxic at all compared to the others. -Seth