Fifty years ago three hunters were found dead in their campsite in Oregon. No evidence of foul play was found. The only odd thing was there was a rough skinned newt in their coffee pot.
In the 1960's a biologist (Butch Brodie) read the story and became curious. When disturbed the newt bends its head back and reveals a bright yellow belly. Bright colors are often associated with poisonous animals and Brodie wondered if the newt might be toxic.
Brodie found that the newt produces the chemical tetrodotoxin which blocks signals in the nervous system leading to a quick death. There is no conclusive evidence that the newt in the coffee pot was responsible for the deaths of the three hunters, but chances are it was in fact the cause. The small newt carries enough toxin to kill dozens of people- it is 10,000 times more deadly than cyanide.
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