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>>We had these on a few trails down here in SoCal lately. What are they, and are they keepable?

They are a species of California newt. If roughly handled, they can secrete an odorous, highly toxic substance. Ingesting this substance or allowing it to enter your blood stream (for example through an open wound) can cause serious illness or even death. It is best to leave them alone. They are harmless if left alone. Because of their strong toxin, they are very bold and often walk slowly out in the open, especially during the winter rainy season. During the summer, they find refuge inside logs, in rodent burrows, or following the roots of trees to underground refuges. I have not sure if they are protected in Southern California or not.

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