A Resistant Predator andits Toxic Prey: Persistence of Newt Toxin Leads to Poisonous (Not Venomous)Snakes

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Journal of Chemical Ecology

Volume

30

Issue

10

Publication Date

2004

First Page

1901

Last Page

1919

Abstract

The Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) preys upon the Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa), which contains the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX) in the skin. TTX is toxic, large quantities are present in a newt, and highly resistant snakes have the ability to ingest multiple newts; subsequently snakes harbor significant amounts of active toxin in their own tissues after consuming a newt. Snakes harbor TTX in the liver for 1 mo or more after consuming just one newt, and at least 7 wk after consuming a diet of newts. Three weeks after eating one newt, snakes contained an average of 42 μg of TTX in the liver. This amount could severely incapacitate or kill avian predators, and mammalian predators may be negatively affected as well.

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