The City of Langford says rough-skinned newts have been spotted in Westhills Park and they’re warning people to watch their pets near the park’s wetlands gazebo.
Rough-skinned newts contain harmful toxins when ingested and can cause skin irritation when handled, the city said on social media. “Ensure your pet’s safety by keeping animals on leash to prevent them from ingesting potentially harmful toxins.”
The city said the newts are known to gather in large numbers around wetlands from February to April.
According to the Canadian Herpetological Society, rough-skinned newts produce a powerful neurotoxin used to deter predators.
Considered to be the most poisonous amphibian in B.C., rough-skinned newts can live up to 12 years and grow up to 22 centimeters in length.
The salamanders can be identified by their brightly-coloured bellies and can be found across various West Coast aquatic environments from southern Alaska to central California.
