TJ
New member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2002
- Messages
- 4,471
- Reaction score
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- Location
- Tokyo
- Country
- United States
- Display Name
- Tim Johnson
Fascinating stuff:
"Stromberg (1997) documented a survival mechanism in response to a prescribed burn on the
Hastings Natural History Reservation, Carmel Valley, Monterey Co., California. He
observed a pair of newts walk through flames (5-10 cm high) without pausing. The slime
covering their bodies foamed up, and within 20-30 seconds, they were through the flames
and onto the ashes of the litter. Upon close examination, the now crusty white coating easily
wiped off, and the skin was free of blisters or discoloration. He released the newts which
continued to walk normally, proceeding at near record newt speed. As they walked, leaves
and litter removed nearly all of the thin white crust covering their bodies. Foaming of the
skin would dissipate heat and may be a mechanism used to escape natural wildfires
(Stromberg, 1997)."
Source: Riverside County Integrated Project Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan
http://www.rcip.org/mshcpdocs/Vol2/appendixB/Sec-01.Amphibians/03.CoastRangeNewt.pdf
"Stromberg (1997) documented a survival mechanism in response to a prescribed burn on the
Hastings Natural History Reservation, Carmel Valley, Monterey Co., California. He
observed a pair of newts walk through flames (5-10 cm high) without pausing. The slime
covering their bodies foamed up, and within 20-30 seconds, they were through the flames
and onto the ashes of the litter. Upon close examination, the now crusty white coating easily
wiped off, and the skin was free of blisters or discoloration. He released the newts which
continued to walk normally, proceeding at near record newt speed. As they walked, leaves
and litter removed nearly all of the thin white crust covering their bodies. Foaming of the
skin would dissipate heat and may be a mechanism used to escape natural wildfires
(Stromberg, 1997)."
Source: Riverside County Integrated Project Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan
http://www.rcip.org/mshcpdocs/Vol2/appendixB/Sec-01.Amphibians/03.CoastRangeNewt.pdf