| Amphibians |
California Coastal Range Newt
Taricha torosa torosa
| Conservation Status: Threatened - Protected
- Courtesy of USGS
Native to California, California coastal range newts are one of five salamander species found in the state. They are also called gold belly newts. Glands in the skin of these newts produce a highly toxic poison (tetrodotoxin) which makes the animal dangerous to handle and deadly to eat.
Facts and Features
- Geographic Distribution
California coast and coastal mountain ranges from Mendocino County to San Diego County.
- Amazing Facts
Large numbers of California coastal range newts move together in breeding season, during or after rains, often traveling across roadways and highways. A park in Contra Contra Costa County in California posts a drive through the park with this notice: During wet weather conditions, Southpark Drive will be closed to protect migrating newts….
- At the Aquarium
Not on exhibit. Information about this newt is included in the Online Ocean Learning Center for use as a reference.