I contemplated the nobility of the newt. Perhaps it's the way they walk, so seemingly unconcerned with their surroundings. They waddle a bit, but never waver from their chosen direction. They are also deadly poisonous. Nothing gets the attention of a group of children like holding a poisonous live animal in your bare hands.
Eyes lock on the creature, and an awed hush descends.
Not many people feel compelled to eat newts, though on a dare, an Oregon college student swallowed one and died shortly thereafter. When threatened, some newts strike a rigid posture, called an unken reflex. The back arches so much that the head tucks under the tail to display the dramatic underbelly color. Raccoons and skunks are suspected of rolling them around in the dirt to avoid contacting the toxin before they eat the newts' innards. Newts need to stay damp.