Red-bellied Newt

Taricha rivularis

Red-bellied Newts spend most of their lives in underground burrows. They only come to the surface every two or three years when they migrate back to the stream in which they were born. After breeding there, they return to the underground life. When threatened, these newts strike a warning posture, arching their backs and raising their heads and tails to display their vividly colored bellies. This behavior may alert predators to their poisonous skin secretions.

Look For : A large, blackish newt with a fire- red belly and large eyes.

Length : 5 1/2-7 1/2".

Habitat : Fast, cool streams in Redwood forests.

Range : Northern coastal California.