Salamander enthusiasts should be careful when seeking out these animals in the wild, since some of them are poisonous. There are four species of newt that are poisonous and can seriously harm a person, with several other species that are still poisonous but less concerning. Tetrodotoxin can cause paralysis and even death, if left untreated and in serious cases. A salamander’s level of toxicity depends on several factors, including its species, habitat, and age.
Salamanders Are Poisonous
While there are some salamander species that make great pets, there are others that are pretty dangerous. Like many other amphibians, salamanders can be poisonous. Amphibians typically secrete toxins through their skin, and this is exactly how salamanders operate. Salamanders specifically secrete tetrodotoxin, which attacks nerves and muscles. Tetrodotoxin causes increasing paralysis which, if not treated, will lead to death.
Salamanders have poison glands in their skin and some species have additional glands in their necks and tails. (Fun fact: Salamanders that secrete poison through their tails have an extra benefit, as they can also drop and then re-grow their tails in case of a predator attack.) Tetrodotoxin is the same poison that pufferfish use, which most people are more familiar with.
Interestingly, a salamander’s habitat (and the predators therein) can impact how poisonous it is. For example, some salamanders are poisonous even before they are born. There are several species of salamanders whose eggs are surrounded by a toxic gelatinous membrane, protecting the offspring from predators during their most vulnerable life stage. And salamanders that live around Garter snakes tend to have higher concentrations of tetrodotoxin, since these snakes have evolved resistance to tetrodotoxin.
Most Poisonous Species of Salamanders
The salamander genus Taricha specifically designates the four species of poisonous salamanders. The four species of poisonous salamanders are the California Newt, the Rough-Skinned Newt, the Red-Bellied Newt, and the Sierra Newt. These salamanders may be lumped together and referred to as Pacific Newts or Western Newts. Of the four species, the Rough-Skinned Newt is the most poisonous salamander.
Some readers may be wondering about the use of ‘newt’ versus ‘salamander’ here. Technically, all newts are salamanders even if all salamanders aren’t newts. Both newts and salamanders fall under the family Salamandridae and the word ‘salamander’ has turned into a sort of catch-all term to refer to both types of amphibians. The difference is that newts do not have ribs or costal grooves along the sides of their bodies, which all “true” salamanders have.
There are also newts within the genus Notophthalmus that are poisonous (known as Eastern Newts), but these are much less toxic. Whereas there has been at least one human fatality due to a Rough-Skinned Newt, there have been no fatalities or even close fatalities to date from contact with Eastern Newts.
Signs a Salamander May Be Poisonous
Salamanders are one of many animals that use bright colors to indicate their toxicity to predators, called aposematism. Some animals are brightly colored across their body, but the Taricha newts just have a bright orange or yellow underbelly. These newts are otherwise fairly dull in terms of coloration (dark brown and black) to better blend in with foliage and murky water. But when they feel threatened, they stand up on their hind legs and expose their underbelly as a warning.
Interestingly, some of the non-poisonous salamanders and newts have co-opted aposematism to make themselves appear toxic to predators, called Batesian mimicry. This is why you shouldn’t assume that only brightly-colored salamanders are poisonous, or that dull-colored salamanders are safe. Regardless of whether a salamander is bright red or dark brown, proceed with caution if you are unsure of the species.
Slow-moving salamanders also tend to be poisonous, since they don’t have to worry as much about out-running predators. Many of these newts have also developed in areas with predators that are aware of their toxicity and so have even less reason to be skittish or fast-moving.
These newts are also nocturnal and either completely aquatic or semi-aquatic. However, juvenile Taricha newts (called “efts”) are primarily terrestrial until they reach sexual maturity and begin regularly returning to water to breed. But there are also many non-poisonous nocturnal and semi-aquatic newts, so these are also not definitive markers of a toxic salamander.
What To Do If You Get Tetrodotoxin Poisoning
Seek medical treatment immediately if you come into contact with a poisonous salamander or otherwise suspect you have been exposed to tetrodotoxin. Clarify to any medical personnel whether the poisoning happened due to handling a newt or ingesting an improperly prepared newt. Make sure those treating you are also aware that you have been exposed to a poison versus a venom.
Short-term (e.g., less than eight hours), the primary symptoms will be rapid muscle weakness and spreading paralysis. Respiratory arrest is the most pressing concern, as the tetrodotoxin will paralyze your respiratory muscles and tract. An emergency room or hospital will be able to monitor your respiratory function and secure your airway, if necessary.
An ER or hospital will also be able to monitor your heart function for any arrhythmias or dysrhythmias, which may occur. Hypotension (low blood pressure), hypoxia (low oxygen supply), and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) are all secondary concerns but still possible symptoms.
