Checklist of Amphibian Species and Identification Guide
California Newt, Taricha torosa
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| The California Newts (Taricha torosa) are large salamanders reaching total lengths almost up to 8 inches. They are characterized by warty skin that is not slimy, and are light brown to balck above with ayellow to orange belly. They bear a close resemblance to the Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa), but California Newts usually have a lighter dorsal color with less contrast between the ventral and dorsal colors on the side. A better character is the the lower eyelid which is light colored (relatively dark in the Rough-skinned Newt). California Newts also have larger eyes — seen from above the outline of the eye reaches the edge of the outline of the head, it does not in the Rough-skinned Newt. They are found in a variety of habitats similar to those used by the Rough-skinned Newt, though in the Sierra Nevada and the mountains of southern California they also inhabit fast moving streams. California Newts also seem to prefer less humid habitats than the Rough-skinned Newts. |
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| The California Newt is currently divided into two subspecies: the Coast Range Newt, T. t. torosa, and the Sierra Newt, T. t. sierrae. The specimen below appears to have regrown a tail. |
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| California Newts are quite poisonous, as are all Newts of the genus Torosa, so it is not advised to handle these salamanders. If you do, wash your hands before touching your eyes or anything that you might put in your mouth. |
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