Question: Effects of handling a amphibian with bare hands?

[sde]

Hi all, I was wondering what the effects are? Is it different in newts? and what can you do/wear to minimize/eliminate it? Thanks! -Seth

 

[AfroNewtkeeper]

I don't know much about the effect it has on them, but I did read that those plastic disposable gloves leech some sort of chemical that can harm them.

 

[sde]

The rubber surgeon looking gloves? I read that they can get corn starch on them, the corn starch is so that the glove come off and on easy. Anyway, I don't think the corn starch is good for them. Thanks for the info man :grin:

 

[Otterwoman]

Make sure your hands are clean with no soap, lotion, or alcohol residue. Wet your hands, and you can be OK picking up newts for a short time. If they don't slip away!

 

[Azhael]

The ideal is to not touch them at all. Picking them up with a container of some sort is preferable. The oils in our hands, residue from soaps/creams, etc are a potential danger for their permeable skin, not to mention the fact that our body temperature is lethal to them so prolonged exposure to body heat can result in death (not usually a problem if you are dipping your hands in cold water, but something to definitely consider).
Latex gloves should be avoided and powdered ones are a definite NO since they cause mortality.

Like Dawn has said, if you must handle an amphibian you need to make sure your hands are thoroughly rinsed, wet and that you minimize the surface and the time of contact. But really, no contact is definitely preferable.