California Newt
Taricha torosa
Formerly called the Coastal Range Newt, the California Newt is native to California. 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.
Originally published: July 11, 2007
Last updated: January 23, 2026
Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific / Robin Riggs
SPECIES IN DETAIL
California Newt
Taricha torosa
CONSERVATION STATUS: Threatened - Protected
CLIMATE CHANGE: Vulnerable
Geographic Distribution
They are found along the California coastline from Mendocino County to San Diego County.
Habitat
California newts are found in coastal areas, forests and mountain ranges. As they metamorphose, they move from ponds and lakes to living under leafy debris or in rocky crevices.
Physical Characteristics
California newts have squat bodies with legs that stick out from their sides. They have a short head and neck. These newts have a warty, gray colored back and bright orange-yellow skin on their underside and under their eyes. Their eyes are large and protruding and set on the side of their head.
Size
They are about 12.5 – 20 cm (4.9 – 7.8 in) long.
Diet
These newts eat small worms and snails, insects and insect eggs, and amphibian larvae by catching them with their sticky tongue.
Reproduction
Breeding takes place during the rainy season in December. They migrate back to the same site they’ve hatched from to lay their eggs. The eggs are contained in gelatinous sacs which are attached to underwater rocks or plants. Larvae will hatch after 14-21 days, sometimes taking longer depending on environmental conditions (food availability and water temperature). These larvae have small legs and will metamorphose into adults in 3-6 weeks.
Behavior
They make clicking or yelping noises when disturbed. They can assume a defensive posture called the unken reflex, holding their head and tail up to reveal bright colors on their underside and secrete a toxin to deter predators.
Adaptation
They produce a poison called tetrodotoxin from their skin to protect themselves. It is more potent in juveniles than adults. The California newt can also produce a fire-resistant foam as a defense against mild wildfires.
Longevity
Scientists believe these newts may live as long as 20 years or more.
Conservation
California newts are listed as near threatened under the IUCN’s Red List. They are impacted by habitat loss and introduced species like fish and bullfrogs which eat their larvae.
Special Notes
Large numbers of California newts migrate together during breeding season, traveling up to 2.5 miles. They often cross roadways and highways in their journey with some local roads closing seasonally to protect the newts.
SPECIES IN DETAIL | Print full entry
California Newt
Taricha torosa
CONSERVATION STATUS: Threatened - Protected
CLIMATE CHANGE: Vulnerable
They are found along the California coastline from Mendocino County to San Diego County.
California newts are found in coastal areas, forests and mountain ranges. As they metamorphose, they move from ponds and lakes to living under leafy debris or in rocky crevices.
California newts have squat bodies with legs that stick out from their sides. They have a short head and neck. These newts have a warty, gray colored back and bright orange-yellow skin on their underside and under their eyes. Their eyes are large and protruding and set on the side of their head.
They are about 12.5 – 20 cm (4.9 – 7.8 in) long.
These newts eat small worms and snails, insects and insect eggs, and amphibian larvae by catching them with their sticky tongue.
Breeding takes place during the rainy season in December. They migrate back to the same site they’ve hatched from to lay their eggs. The eggs are contained in gelatinous sacs which are attached to underwater rocks or plants. Larvae will hatch after 14-21 days, sometimes taking longer depending on environmental conditions (food availability and water temperature). These larvae have small legs and will metamorphose into adults in 3-6 weeks.
They make clicking or yelping noises when disturbed. They can assume a defensive posture called the unken reflex, holding their head and tail up to reveal bright colors on their underside and secrete a toxin to deter predators.
They produce a poison called tetrodotoxin from their skin to protect themselves. It is more potent in juveniles than adults. The California newt can also produce a fire-resistant foam as a defense against mild wildfires.
Scientists believe these newts may live as long as 20 years or more.
California newts are listed as near threatened under the IUCN’s Red List. They are impacted by habitat loss and introduced species like fish and bullfrogs which eat their larvae.
Large numbers of California newts migrate together during breeding season, traveling up to 2.5 miles. They often cross roadways and highways in their journey with some local roads closing seasonally to protect the newts.