No, not all frogs and salamanders are poisonous. While some species do possess toxins to varying degrees for defense against predators, many others are harmless.
Frogs:
- Poisonous frogs are typically found within the family Dendrobatidae, which includes the well-known poison dart frogs. Some of these species have potent skin secretions that can be dangerous or even lethal if touched or ingested.
- However, the majority of frog species are non-toxic and do not pose a threat to humans in this way.
Salamanders:
- Among salamanders, only a few species are known to be toxic. For example, the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) and some newts can secrete toxins, notably tetrodotoxin from their skin glands, which can deter predators.
- The majority of salamanders do not have toxic properties and are not dangerous to humans.
It's important to note that handling any wild amphibians should be done with caution, even those not known to be toxic, as they can carry bacteria or parasites. Additionally, habitat loss and environmental changes put many amphibian species at risk, and it's crucial to respect and protect these creatures and their environments.