Red-bellied Newt
Encyclopedia
The Red-bellied newt is a newt
, native to coastal woodlands in northern California
, which is terrestrial for most of its life.
, and between 5.5 to 7.5 inches from nose to its tail. It has grainy skin, and is brownish black on top with a tomato red underbelly. It can be distinguished from other coastal newts by its red belly and a lack of yellow in its eyes. Breeding males develop smooth skin and a flattened tail.
along the coast
from Bodega
in Sonoma county, inland to Lower lake, and north to Honeydew, Humboldt county. It lives in coastal woodlands, especially in redwood forests.
ability. As they always go back to the same spot on the stream, they will make a great effort to go there. They will find their way over several miles of rugged terrain
to get back to the spot. It is likely that smell
is responsible for the homing ability.
called tetrodotoxin
in their skin to easily kill an adult human, or 7,500 mice. Like other newts, Red-bellied newts have the ability to regenerate
several body parts, including their limb
s, eye
s, heart
s, intestine
s, and upper and lower jaw
s, and damaged spinal cord
s.
Newt
A newt is an aquatic amphibian of the family Salamandridae, although not all aquatic salamanders are considered newts. Newts are classified in the subfamily Pleurodelinae of the family Salamandridae, and are found in North America, Europe and Asia...
, native to coastal woodlands in northern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, which is terrestrial for most of its life.
Physical description
The Red-bellied Newt, when fullgrown, measures between 2.75 to 3.5 inches from its nose to its ventCloaca
In zoological anatomy, a cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the only such opening for the intestinal, reproductive, and urinary tracts of certain animal species...
, and between 5.5 to 7.5 inches from nose to its tail. It has grainy skin, and is brownish black on top with a tomato red underbelly. It can be distinguished from other coastal newts by its red belly and a lack of yellow in its eyes. Breeding males develop smooth skin and a flattened tail.
Distribution and habitat
The Red-bellied newts lives in CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
along the coast
Coast
A coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
from Bodega
Bodega
Bodega is a Spanish word that may refer to:* a winery, wine cellar or wine bar* a convenience store specializing in Hispanic groceriesPlaces:* Bodega, California, town in Sonoma County, California...
in Sonoma county, inland to Lower lake, and north to Honeydew, Humboldt county. It lives in coastal woodlands, especially in redwood forests.
Reproduction and ecology
Red-bellied newts lay their eggs in fast flowing streams or rocky rivers. Newts begin their lives as aquatic larvae similar to tadpoles, though elongated and with external gills. Once they have matured into the adult form, which takes about four months, and usually happens in August, they leave the water until the fifth year of their life. Then, as early as January or February, the males start congregating at streambanks. One to three weeks later the females join them and the newts mate. The females lay their eggs in about 12 streamlined clusters with six to sixteen eggs each. They usually lay them on the bottoms of rocks, or on branches leaning into the stream. When the adults leave the stream, instead of moving directly uphill, they move at ana angle that leads them somewhat upstream. The females, unlike the males, do not breed every year.Red-bellied newts can live for up to fifteen years.Homing
Red-bellied newts have a remarkable homingHoming
Homing is the process of determining the location of something, sometimes the source of a transmission, and going to it.More specifically, it may refer to:*Infrared homing*Semi-active radar homing*Active radar homing*Acoustic homing*Homing...
ability. As they always go back to the same spot on the stream, they will make a great effort to go there. They will find their way over several miles of rugged terrain
Terrain
Terrain, or land relief, is the vertical and horizontal dimension of land surface. When relief is described underwater, the term bathymetry is used...
to get back to the spot. It is likely that smell
Olfaction
Olfaction is the sense of smell. This sense is mediated by specialized sensory cells of the nasal cavity of vertebrates, and, by analogy, sensory cells of the antennae of invertebrates...
is responsible for the homing ability.
Defense
Red-bellied newts have a brownish black topside to avoid being noticed. When that fails, and they are seen and disturbed, they pull their head and tail back to reveal their bright red underside. This serves as a warning to potential predators, as red-bellied newts have enough of a neurotoxinNeurotoxin
A neurotoxin is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells , usually by interacting with membrane proteins such as ion channels. Some sources are more general, and define the effect of neurotoxins as occurring at nerve tissue...
called tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin, also known as "tetrodox" and frequently abbreviated as TTX, sometimes colloquially referred to as "zombie powder" by those who practice Vodou, is a potent neurotoxin with no known antidote. There have been successful tests of a possible antidote in mice, but further tests must be...
in their skin to easily kill an adult human, or 7,500 mice. Like other newts, Red-bellied newts have the ability to regenerate
Regeneration (biology)
In biology, regeneration is the process of renewal, restoration, and growth that makes genomes, cells, organs, organisms, and ecosystems resilient to natural fluctuations or events that cause disturbance or damage. Every species is capable of regeneration, from bacteria to humans. At its most...
several body parts, including their limb
Limb (anatomy)
A limb is a jointed, or prehensile , appendage of the human or other animal body....
s, eye
Eye
Eyes are organs that detect light and convert it into electro-chemical impulses in neurons. The simplest photoreceptors in conscious vision connect light to movement...
s, heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
s, intestine
Intestine
In human anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric sphincter of the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine...
s, and upper and lower jaw
Jaw
The jaw is any opposable articulated structure at the entrance of the mouth, typically used for grasping and manipulating food. The term jaws is also broadly applied to the whole of the structures constituting the vault of the mouth and serving to open and close it and is part of the body plan of...
s, and damaged spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
s.
See also
- California NewtCalifornia NewtThe California newt is a newt. It is also referred to as the orange bellied newt. They can grow to be in length.- Physical description :T. torosa adult length can range from to...
- Taricha torosa - Rough-Skinned NewtRough-skinned NewtThe rough-skinned newt is a North American newt known for its strong poison.- Toxicity :Many newts produce toxins to avoid predation, but the toxins of the genus Taricha are particularly potent...
- Taricha granulosa
External links
- http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/t.rivularis.html
- Range map
- Range map
- http://www.livingunderworld.org/caudata/database/salamandridae/taricha/