newts Archives - Beavercreek Demonstration Farm

Rough-skinned newts on the farm

March 19, 2014 Tom Salzer

We’ve seen several rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa) wandering across the fields and gravel at the farm, but it was a surprise to see dozens in the lower pond! The rough-skinned newt produces a powerful neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin. Skin irritation may result from handling this animal. Because of the toxicity of […]

The farm is waking up from a winter rest

February 21, 2014 Tom Salzer

It’s February, and we’re seeing the farm start to wake up from dormancy. The fields are greening up, robins are searching for worms, and the pussy willows are popping. A cold snap in December challenged us to keep the pipes from freezing as a bitterly cold east wind blew against the […]