Recently, I wrote about the millions of ladybugs that migrate to the Oakland hills. If you're not into ladybugs or if you're looking for a new natural wonder to check out in the East Bay, take note: the recent rains have brought out the newts! The California Newts, which are a type of salamander, are a ruddy brownish color with a golden belly. They grow between three and six inches long, and during the winter, especially after a good downpour, they emerge from under rocks and logs to make their way to streams to mate.
A friend who went hiking in Knowland Park in Oakland this past Saturday said the place was crawling with salamanders, so many that it appeared like the ground itself was moving. I've seen newts in Redwood Regional Park and Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, both in Oakland. They're also all over Tilden Park in Berkeley, too, where they've recently instated newt protection measures, to prevent cars, people, and dogs from running over or disturbing the little creatures.
As cute as they are, when you see the little guys, don't touch or disturb them. Newts are very sensitive and do not live for long outside their natural environment, so don't even try to sneak one home. It's also illegal to remove them from the wild. And if that warning wasn't enough to prevent you from getting too close, here's another deterrent to keep you from doing more than just appreciating them in nature: California newts give off a mildly toxic poison from their skin, so really just don't touch them. (If you do come into contact with them, make sure to wash your hands with soap and water.)
If you want to appreciate these migrating animals with the guidance of an expert, naturalist Trent Pearce will lead a nighttime newt walk tonight in Tilden Park. The walk meets at the Tilden-Regional Parks Botanic Garden, rain or shine, and takes place from 5-7 p.m. Bring a flashlight and wear layers, cuz it's cold out there!
Photos by Sarah Han
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