FUN FACTS ABOUT FIRE-BELLIED NEWTS:
Fire-bellied newts like cool temperatures of 68 F or 20 C. But they can tolerate 70 F or 21 C. They may become sick if you keep your tank at higher temperatures. I’m going to go lower the temperature for Randal1 and Randal2 right now. Perhaps that is why they are sluggish and very seldom move.
Fire-bellied newt have glands on the side of their head that secrete toxins. This can cause skin irritations and may be poisonous to some animals. Do NOT handle your fire-bellied newts unless you absolutely have to and after touching them wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
There are two kinds of newts that are referred to as fire-bellied newts commonly kept as pets. The Cynops orientalis is the Chinese fire-bellied newt (also called the oriental fire-bellied newt or the dwarf fire-bellied newt) and the Cynops purrhogaster is the Japanese fire-bellied newt.
The Chinese fire-bellied newt, Cynops orientalis is approximately 3-4 inches long (6-10 cm), with smooth skin that is dark brown to black over most of their body. Their fire-belly usually has orange as the predominant color. They have poison glands on the sides of their head. Randal1 and Randal2 are Chinese fire-bellied newts.
The Japanese fire-bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster, is approximately 3.5 to 5 inches long (9-12 cm) with a rough or bumpy appearance to the skin. Usually its fire-belly is more of a speckled pattern of red-orange. They have poison glands on the side of their head.
Fire-bellied newts will regulate their intake of food and do not usually become obese even if food is available at all times.
Filed under: Fire-Bellied Newts | Tagged: fire-bellied, fire-bellied newt, fire-bellied toad, fire-belly, fire-belly newt, fire-belly toad, firebellied, firebellied newt, firebellied toad, firebelly, firebelly newt, firebelly toad, newt, toad, video
we just got three fire-belly newts abit concerned about the poisonous info, will they hurt my kids if they handle them if i wasnt watching???
me and my husband are planning to get a firebellied newt. but i’m having second thoughts after reading about the poisons.. would it be very harmful or very very poisonous if handled? if so.. any ideas on what i should do for safety reasons?
we just got newts in our class at school and they are very cute, i’m abit worried to hold them now that i’ve heard they are poisonis….. will you die if you like get the poison in your mouth?
i found a small black newt with a red belly under the wooden planks in my garden and out him in the pond arethey rare ?
they only give a tiny bit of poisen that is only harmfull to small animals (unless the newt is eaten whole then it can have effects)
these animals are very common, they are worth about 5pound each
this poisen should be kept away from the mouth but shouldnt have a big effect,
i do recomend washing hands after,
i hav owned 5 fire belly newts now (all chinese)
and now i have 1 japanese and 1 chinese in the same place to see how they get on,
good luck with your newts,
they are good fun
okay,
as for the toxins that secrete out of their glands. it’s not very toxic at all.
if you hold the newts then touch your lips or eyes or nose it will burn but nothing intense.
and if by chance you eat a newt.
your body will throw up the newt and the poison consumed.
there has only been 1 death by newts.
and it was a species of newt that was a lot more toxic than fire belly newts.
it was a drunk guy that ate 3-4 of them.
hope this information is helpful.