Spanish Ribbed Newts Force Their Ribs Out and Coat Them in Poison

Salamandridae members all have poisonous skin or glands that emit poison when threatened, and they are all toxic. The most toxic skin secretions are typically found on terrestrial animals like Taricha and the efts of some aquatic species. The Spanish ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl) is one species that combines its poisonous skin secretions with sharp barbs that run along the sides of its body. When threatened, the barbs can be driven through the animal's skin. These venomous salamanders frequently have vivid colors to alert potential predators to their danger.

The Spanish ribbed newt reaches a maximum length of 9 inches and has insect eyes. They don't seem that menacing in person and have a slightly cartoonish appearance, but maybe that's all part of the plot. Few animals are as fierce in self-defense as the ribbed newt. The newt can rotate its own ribs inside of its body from 27 to 92 degrees in relation to its spinal axis when it feels threatened. A deadly substance is subsequently coated on the ribs, which protrude directly from the newt's epidermis through fleshy warts.

The newt is comparable to Wolverine in popular culture if Wolverine also poisoned his claws. The ribs cannot protrude since there is no permanent hole. Every time the newt employs the defense, it must pierce its own flesh.