Taricha granulosa morphs?

[Dan Feller]

I was noticing how different these newts can look. The newts I find on land are thinner with rough skin. The newts living in the water are fatter, smoother skinned, and have a more flattened tails. They also stink a lot worse :(

I had always assumed that they are different morphs of the same species, but I really don't know much about their life cycle. Do they return to the water every year to breed? Are the aquatic newts young ones that have yet to emerge and fully transform? The one I caught had swelling around its vent, it seems to be in breeding mode.

The photo of the "land morph" (adult phase?) newt was taken 2 months ago, the one I caught while fishing was last weekend.

Anybody know anything about these guys?

[Dan Feller]

When I hit the wrong "Submit" button the pix don't work. Seems kind of weird...

[PKRLinNE]

These pics are of aquatic newts. Often called Oregon or Orange Bellied Newts. They spend most of thier time in the water. I have had one as a pet for about 7 years now. He spends most of his timein the water but I do have several land spaces as he does come out and dry off for time to time.

I believe, but am not an expert, that they go from eggs to a tadpole stage and then what you see in your pics. They do not become land dellers although I have heard from some hobbysist that some like the land in their enclosures more than others. But they are considered aquatic.

A site to check out:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Taricha/T_granulosa.shtml

Its kewl that you caught one fishing, never heard of that before.

[Dan Feller]

These pics are of aquatic newts. Often called Oregon or Orange Bellied Newts. They spend most of thier time in the water. I have had one as a pet for about 7 years now. He spends most of his timein the water but I do have several land spaces as he does come out and dry off for time to time.

I believe, but am not an expert, that they go from eggs to a tadpole stage and then what you see in your pics. They do not become land dellers although I have heard from some hobbysist that some like the land in their enclosures more than others. But they are considered aquatic.

A site to check out:
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Taricha/T_granulosa.shtml

Its kewl that you caught one fishing, never heard of that before.

Thanks for the info and the link!

I know that I see a lot more of them in the water, but ocassionally you find them on land, hundreds of yards from any source of water. The newt in the first picture was on a logging road quite a ways above the nearest water, a small, fast-flowing stream. I suppose he could have been just moving from one body of water to another, but he sure looks different from the one I caught fishing. By the way, I sometimes catch more newts than fish, they love nightcrawlers! :nilly:

[Dan Feller]

Answered my questions perfectly!

"The skin is granular but the males develop smooth skin during the breeding season. Males can also be distinguished from females by a swollen vent and cornified toe pads during the breeding season which appear as rough, black patches of skin."

"Aquatic adults are found in ponds, lakes, stream pools, and sluggish sections of creeks and rivers. These newts generally avoid fast-moving water. Terrestrial adults and juveniles inhabit adjacent woodlands where they live under logs, rocks, and leaf debris. Juveniles leave the pond after metamorphosis and do not return for up to 4-5 years."

[coura]

Answered my questions perfectly!

"The skin is granular but the males develop smooth skin during the breeding season. Males can also be distinguished from females by a swollen vent and cornified toe pads during the breeding season which appear as rough, black patches of skin."

"Aquatic adults are found in ponds, lakes, stream pools, and sluggish sections of creeks and rivers. These newts generally avoid fast-moving water. Terrestrial adults and juveniles inhabit adjacent woodlands where they live under logs, rocks, and leaf debris. Juveniles leave the pond after metamorphosis and do not return for up to 4-5 years."
Please be carefull handling them expecialy if you have cutts on your hands because they are one of the most toxic newts known:WHOA:

[hamato_yoshii]

That last pic is awesome!

[Dan Feller]

Please be carefull handling them expecialy if you have cutts on your hands because they are one of the most toxic newts known:WHOA:

I've heard that. Amazing I lived through my childhood!:D

[PKRLinNE]

Although they are toxic I believe the only time you would be in any danger is if you ate one...hope you not thinking of that. lol

I learned something too. I did not know that they live under logs, rocks and leaf debris. I always thought they were mostly aquatic. Maybe I'll need to change my tank to something more like a viv. That's it, another excuse!!!!!

[PKRLinNE]

Dan - did you take all of those pics. They are something. The one with the newts on the grass in an agressive posture is something. I'v never seen one do that.

[Dan Feller]

Dan - did you take all of those pics. They are something. The one with the newts on the grass in an agressive posture is something. I'v never seen one do that.

I did take those pictures, the ones of the "aquatic phase" newt I took just last Saturday. He was pretty upset after being hauled out of the pond. He wanted that worm!

The "terrestrial phase" newt I saw March 15th. Here's a close-up:
Don't worry, I wet my fingers first, handled him gently, AND washed before eating! (I think I did...) :)

[PKRLinNE]

That's kewl. I have found several types of salamnders roaming around here in Mass but never newts, and never anything that large.