Newt

Came across this little guy during one of my hikes in the Delaware Water Gap (see McDade Trail). Looks like a red spotted or eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) in the juvenile, land-dwelling stage ("eft" stage). Bright orange color and spots are apparently to warn predators of its highly toxic skin. [NOTE: The newt's toxin is a neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin. Blocks the action potential in nerve cell membranes. Bad stuff].

Comments

[Wayne]

used to catch these by the dozen at 'Wildwood' campground in the vicinity of Cortlandt, NY. Those were the days.

[chuck]

I assume you always washed your hands after doing so.