![]() In another study, published in 1974 in the journal Copeia, newt toxin entered a puncture wound on a scientist's index finger, and he suffered 30 minutes of numbness up the arm into the shoulder, and some accompanying nausea and light-headedness. Later that day, he died, despite hospital treatment. Over the next two hours he began to feel numb and weak and then experienced cardiopulmonary arrest. After a few minutes, his lips began to tingle. The study also cited a case that involved a man in Oregon who swallowed a newt on a dare (he had been drinking heavily). The study found that the skin of a rough-skinned newt is poisonous enough to potentially kill 25,000 mice. It is a powerful neurotoxin that block signals from the nervous system to the muscles, so for example, it blocks the signals from your brain that tell your heart to beat. Tetrodotoxin, or TTX, is the most poisonous nonprotein substance known to scientists and is similar to that found in pufferfish, according to Caudata Culture. A 1966 study published in the journal Toxicon found that at least 10 species had substances called tarichatoxin and tetrodotoxin. These newts secrete a mucus that is quite toxic. Others are marked with bright warning colors to indicate they are toxic and would not make a good meal, according to Caudata Culture. Many newts rely on their skin color - green, black or brown - to camouflage them and escape the notice of predators. ![]() (Image credit: Jiri Prochzka/Shutterstockâ¨) Toxic touch ![]() Studies indicate, however, it may not be that simple because of the enormous size of the newt genome, which is 10 times larger than the human genome. Researcher hope the ability is based on a common genetic trait and is found, even in latent form, in all animals. Newts can regenerate fully functional limbs (opens in new tab), organs and tissues, including heart muscle, components of its nervous system and the lens of its eye, according to an article in the journal Nature. The pheromone works so well that when a male isn't around, females will try to mate with each other, according to a 2013 study by the Free University of Brussels. Then, it does a little dance by swinging its tail in the air. When mating season comes, the male secretes a strong pheromone to attract a female. Their mating ritual is particularly interesting. All of them spend most of their time hunting for food or lounging in a cool area in the shade. Many newts are active during the day while others are active during the night. The eastern red-spotted newt is found in eastern North America in ponds, lakes and marshes. ![]() For example, the alligator newt lives on the southern islands of Japan in swamps, forests, grasslands and croplands. Some live on land while others live almost exclusively in water. Newts can be found all over the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, Asia and north Africa. (Image credit: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstockâ¨) Habitat ![]()
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