Taricha granulosa

Rough-skinned newts are one of the most aquatic of newts. They live in rivers, streams, ponds, and other watercourses. These newts are poisonous if eaten. If you find one and are tempted to pick it up, handle it carefully and wash your hands thoroughly afterward. When handling amphibians, make sure your hands are not coated with insect repellent or lotions. Wet your hands before handling amphibians.

This rough-skinned newt was found wandering on the floor of a redwood forest in December. The rainy season is a good time for amphibians to travel over land. They can venture much further from water during these times.

The face of a rough-skinned newt. This was a male in the breeding form during early spring. Notice that the eyes do not extend beyond the outline of the head. That is one identifying characteristic of this species.

When disturbed, the rough skinned newt will arch its back and raise its tail to display the bright orange underside. This defensive posture is likely a warning to predators that says, "I am poisonous. Do not eat me! Stay away!"

This newt was in a pool of shallow water alongside a river. Many newts were in this pool. The current from the river fed more water into the pool, but the water was relatively still.

These two rough-skinned newts were underwater in the Eel River. They were at a depth of about 12 feet. During the summer, there was a group of newts that lived in this location. They lived among the algae on the river bottom. Periodically, they would swim the the surface, then dive back down.

Another newt resting on the river bottom. The algae provided protection from predators and possibly a place to find food. The only predator known to eat them and survive is the common garter snake.

This newt is beginning its swim from the river bottom up to the surface. There is another newt resting on the riverbed behind it. I am not sure of the purpose of the surfacing behavior.

Newt swimming back down to the river bed after having surfaced. Notice how they tuck the arms and legs against the body to streamline their shape and swim faster.

Sometimes, the newts would swim partway up to the surface, then float like this. It looked like they were taking a break from swimming. After a break, some of them would float all the way back to the river bed. Others would resume swimming to the surface.

A newt is reflected on the surface of the water as it dives back downward. An underwater camera was used to get these shots.

A newt at the surface. Perhaps they come up for air. It's only one explanation. I am really not sure what the purpose is. They looked like little divers coming up for air.

These close-up views will give you an idea of the shape of the feet that make the tracks you find. Newts are lightweight animals and their tracks are best looked for in fine mud near waterways.

The left front foot of a rough-skinned newt. The front feet both have four toes. Newts have no claws. During the breeding season, male newts have "nuptial pads" on the tips of their fingers. Photo below.

Hind tracks may show only the tips of the toes due to how newts walk. In some substrates, you will find good details. This is the palm of the right hind foot.

The nuptial pads are found on male newts in breeding form. During this time, their skin is smooth. They also have these nuptial pads that probably serve to help them grip the female newt during mating. Male newts grip the female from behind in a position known as amplexus. These pads are not found on the female newt.

This newt is exhibiting the defensive posture and bright color that warns predators to leave it along. In nature, bright colors are often used this way. Think of the skunk with its bold black and white coloration patterns. Predators learn which animals to avoid, sometimes the hard way.