Rough skinned newt

Do all of my readers know this critter? If not, let me introduce you to the rough-skinned newt. For me, this is one of the most characteristic fauna of the Pacific Northwest Coast, more so than the spotted owl, the red-tree vole, ranking somewhere below the industrious beaver whose role as a keystone habitat builder cannot be denied

Why do I have such esteem for this amphibian? Because I see her all the time walking with impunity on the forest floor on the overcast and drizzly days that are the norm at this time of year. She walks with impunity because her flesh is deadly poisonous to any who is foolhardy enough to swallow her. Each year there are stories or myths about frat boys who die during their pledge initiation because their older brothers make them eat a rough skinned newt. Presumably the local owls and giant salamanders learned better to avoid this forbidden food.

I was reminded about the charming everpresence of this newt when I went out jogging this past saturday on a state forest trail. There must have been one of these suckers every 15 meters on the path, and I had to shuck and jive just to avoid stomping one.