tetrodotoxin

[caudatadude28]

If some one had a cut or wound and handled a Taricha could they die from tetrodotoxin? How much should some one worry that owns Taricha?

I am now almost positive I wont buy the species.

 

[oregon newt]

You wouldn't die, but you might feel some irritation or numbness. There's an article on it at caudata culture.

 

[caudatadude28]

Which species of Tarich has the least toxin? And someone would die if it were ingested. What if my dogs some how got to it? I read the article on it already. That is what made me worry.

 

[Mark]

The toxicity of newts varies depending on the species and the location it was collected. It’s all in the article. Even the least toxic Taricha can kill the equivalent of 2,500 mice so a dog would be very lucky to survive.

The good news is that newts aren’t pets you should be handling anyway – even if they’re not very toxic. Amphibians have very sensitive skin which can easily be damaged by hot hands. If on the very rare occasions you do have to pick up a newt just use common sense and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

If you don’t trust yourself or your dogs not to try eating your pet newt, a different pet might be best. Maybe a goldfish… hmm sushi :lick:.

 

[caudatadude28]

I am NOT getting a goldfish. So the least toxic taricha cant kill me? Lets say I was moving it to a different tank and forgot to wash my hands and then ate something, could it kill me?

 

[oregon newt]

No it probably wouldn't kill you.

 

[Kaysie]

I beg to differ. Even the least toxic Taricha can kill you if you eat it, and will probably kill your dog.

If you get TTX in an open wound, you'll feel numbness and tingling. Once I had a cut in my thumb and handled a sick individual for treatment. I got TTX in my cut, and my entire arm was numb and useless for about 2 hours.

That being said, there are 2 points. 1.) An individual will usually only excrete TTX when it's injured or harassed. 2.) There are VERY few Taricha other than T. granulosa in the pet trade. Even the vast majority of T. granulosa are wild-caught.

 

[caudatadude28]

How scared were you when you got it in your cut and lost feeling and use of your arm?

 

[Kaysie]

A little TTX in a wound won't kill you, it's just kind of annoying, and slightly unnerving. You'll be fine unless you try to eat it.

 

[oregon newt]

I beg to differ. Even the least toxic Taricha can kill you if you eat it, and will probably kill your dog.

If you get TTX in an open wound, you'll feel numbness and tingling. Once I had a cut in my thumb and handled a sick individual for treatment. I got TTX in my cut, and my entire arm was numb and useless for about 2 hours.

That being said, there are 2 points. 1.) An individual will usually only excrete TTX when it's injured or harassed. 2.) There are VERY few Taricha other than T. granulosa in the pet trade. Even the vast majority of T. granulosa are wild-caught.

I'm sorry. I meant if he forgot to wash his hands and then ate something.

 

[Kaysie]

Will, when I went back and re-read your post, I realized that. My apologies.

 

[Lasher]

If you get TTX in an open wound, you'll feel numbness and tingling. Once I had a cut in my thumb and handled a sick individual for treatment. I got TTX in my cut, and my entire arm was numb and useless for about 2 hours.

Likewise, not to mention a pleasant bout of nausea.