California Newts

Taricha torosa

Description:

I posted this picture on California Herps and the feedback I received is that this is a “ Newt mating ball” Initially I thought that they were sleeping. Newts are lungless and they can breathe through their skin and survive under water. The newts are flashing their orange bodies, signaling to the predator that they are toxic. Garter snakes can eat newts since they are immune from the poison. Newts can regenerate limbs, tail, eyes , and heart muscle and the nervous system. A newt has protective properties against fire and cannot die in a fire. A person can die from eating a Newt. Cal herps further went on to say that “ egg laying “is also going on. There could be “ Multiple amplexus” also. Usually males surround 1 female and the female could end up drowning herself. The newt on the single blade of grass on the side looks like a voyager!