They turned me into a newt!

[roadcykler]

On the return part of an early morning Wauna Viewpoint hike, I spotted something on the trail and expected it to skedaddle into the weeds but it didn't move. I touched it and still no movement so I picked it up and took this picture. It's a Rough-skinned Newt. I put it back where I found it so hopefully the sun would soon reach it and warm it up.

[Chip Down]

I'm sure I must have squished several of those.
I feel kinda bad.
If they would invert when they see me coming, the orange belly would make it easier for me to avoid them.

[retired jerry]

I was hiking somewhere where there were 100s of newts on the trail

I did my best not to step on any of them but I wasn't entirely successful

Washburn State Park maybe

[Born2BBrad]

Not to sound like someone's mother, but be careful, rough skinned newts are toxic. Some drunk guy ate one a while ago and died.

[retired jerry]

time for quotes from Shakespeare - toil toil boil and trouble - no, that's not it - isn't there a newt quote in there somewhere?

[BenO_Tas]

“Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,—
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.”
— Macbeth

[adamschneider]

They're especially toxic in the PNW because they're literally in an arms race with the local garter snakes.

From Wikipedia: "This has resulted in the newts producing levels of toxin far in excess of what is needed to kill any other conceivable predator. Some newts secrete enough toxins to kill several adult humans."

[retired jerry]

Thank you Beno, I knew it was something like that

[pinecone]

Once during a very long and warm exploration of Roaring River Wilderness, I scrambled up to the tiny upper Rock Lake, stripped down and jumped in to cool off. Then I found myself slowly being surrounded by a pack? pod? squadron? assembly? of newts who casually floated up to investigate me. I suppose none of them decided to send any toxins my way, though they did come nearly up to touching me. I believe they had accepted me as one of their own.

[retired jerry]

that must be a sign you're a witch. Plus, you're posing with a cat. Probably a black cat but you disguised it...