handling newts
- Thread starter tin man
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- Oct 14, 2005
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Even the salt in your skin can poison them. These are not handle-for-fun animals, I'm afraid.
Also, it could be unpleasant for YOU, though not as dangerous to your health or life as to the newt:
The fire bellied newt's skin toxin is extremely irritating and can cause an intense burning sensation or numbness. The toxin is not absorbed through your skin, but can be absorbed through open sores or cuts on the skin, the eyes, mucous membranes (lining of the nose, mouth, etc.), and from the digestive tract.
Therefore, you should not handle a newt if you have any sores or cuts on your hands, and avoid touching your eyes or mouth after handling a newt. If you did get exposed to newt skin toxins by this route, an intense burning sensation or numbness could result. Within their tanks, the water would dilute the skin toxins so contact with their water is less likely to be a problem, but you should still be careful.
Even a paper cut you didn't notice could be unpleasant.
Also, it could be unpleasant for YOU, though not as dangerous to your health or life as to the newt:
The fire bellied newt's skin toxin is extremely irritating and can cause an intense burning sensation or numbness. The toxin is not absorbed through your skin, but can be absorbed through open sores or cuts on the skin, the eyes, mucous membranes (lining of the nose, mouth, etc.), and from the digestive tract.
Therefore, you should not handle a newt if you have any sores or cuts on your hands, and avoid touching your eyes or mouth after handling a newt. If you did get exposed to newt skin toxins by this route, an intense burning sensation or numbness could result. Within their tanks, the water would dilute the skin toxins so contact with their water is less likely to be a problem, but you should still be careful.
Even a paper cut you didn't notice could be unpleasant.
Yep, so wash ur hands thoroughly before and after handling them, applies to all creatures.
Your hand also sucks up moisture, which is also bad for their skin. But its not that bad, I use to have a frog and salamanders when I was little, I played with them all the time and they seemed okay. Many ppl say its harmful or not very good, but in my opinion, its usually not as bad as ppl say it is. If you notice your pets getting a bit stressed out, cut down on the touching and the handling.
Remember, they dont really need to be handled, so when you handle something, its not quite a mutually beneficial situation. More like a selfish want than a less selfish need.
No cause then they'll just drink the tank water lol. Just keep the tank water clean.