Taricha – Pacific newts

Highly poisonous newts commonly known as rough skin newts

The rough and grainy lumps on the skin’s surface, which are glands that secrete their extremely toxic neurotoxins, are where the rough skin newts acquire their name. These neurotoxins are mostly safe until consumed; however, they can irritate human skin or eyes.

During the breeding season, these newts will move in great numbers to ponds, streams, and rivers. On the leaves and stems of aquatic plants, females lay their eggs, where they develop for three to four weeks before the larvae hatch. From southern California to British Columbia, the west coast of North America is home to the rough-skinned newt.