Alternate name: Redbelly Newt

Family: Salamandridae, Newts view all from this family

Description 5 5/8"-7 5/8" (14.3-19.4 cm). A western species, with tomato-red belly and large dark-brown eyes. Black or very dark brown above. Male's vent crossed by dark stripe; stripe weak or absent in female.

Warning The skin secretions of the Newts of the genus Taricha contain toxins similar to those found in pufferfish liver. These are among the deadliest natural toxins yet discovered. A healthy adult will die from eating just one Newt. Care should be taken to wash hands thoroughly after handling Newts.

Breeding Males arrive at breeding site before females, in February. From March to April, females lay 12 or so flat clusters of 6-16 eggs each on undersides of rocks in fast-moving mountain brooks. Hatching larvae are aboaut 1/2" (11 mm); transform late summer to early fall at 2" (5.1 cm).

Habitat Cool mountain streams and surrounding coastal redwood forest.

Range Coastal California north of San Francisco Bay to s. Humboldt County.

Discussion Rarely seen. After transformation, juveniles disappear underground until reaching sexual maturity, in about 5 years. Adults may be encountered during autumn rains, when they emerge from subterranean retreats and move toward the section of the stream where they hatched - perhaps a mile or more away. Males locate females in water by chemical attractants released by females. When threatened, the Redbelly strikes a warning posture, arching its back and raising head and tail to display its vividly colored belly. This behavior may alert predators to its poisonous skin secretion. May live 15 or more years in the wild.