The California newt is a medium-sized, stocky salamander with rough, grainy skin. It is Santa Monica Mountains’ largest native salamander species. A strong neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, also released by pufferfish and harlequin frogs, is secreted from their skin. An adult California newt consumes sow bugs, earthworms, snails, and slugs for food.
It has also been observed that adult newts eat their own eggs and larvae. Because of habitat loss and alteration brought about by human activity and introduced predatory fish, crayfish, and bullfrogs that devour the larvae and eggs, California newt populations have experienced population decreases.
Distribution
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
