You may have heard someone say that touching a salamander will give you warts. Maybe it was something you were told as a child, or perhaps you’ve just seen it repeated in books or cartoons.
The idea has been around for a long time and has caused a lot of confusion. But is there any truth to it? Do salamanders really cause warts when you touch them?
No, salamanders cannot give you warts. That idea is a myth. Warts are caused by a virus that only affects humans, not animals like salamanders.
Even though touching a salamander won’t give you warts, it is still important to be careful when handling them.
Their skin is sensitive, and there are a few health reasons why you should always wash your hands afterward.
Why People Thought Salamanders Could Cause Warts
The belief that salamanders give people warts likely came from the way they look. Some salamanders, especially newts, have bumpy skin.
Others have raised glands that resemble lumps or small nodules. These skin features may look like warts to someone unfamiliar with amphibians.
Toads, which are related to frogs and salamanders, also have rough, bumpy skin. In fact, the myth that toads cause warts is even more widespread.
Over time, these ideas were passed from one person to another. Eventually, people started warning children not to touch toads or salamanders for fear of getting warts.
But the truth is simple: those bumps on salamanders are part of their normal skin. They are not caused by illness, they are not contagious, and they cannot spread to your skin.
What Actually Causes Warts?
Warts come from a virus known as human papillomavirus, or HPV. This virus infects only humans. It enters the skin through tiny cuts or scrapes and causes the skin cells to grow in a rough or lumpy way. That’s what creates a wart.
You can get HPV from direct skin contact with another person who has a wart or from touching surfaces they’ve touched.
But animals, including salamanders, do not carry HPV. They cannot transmit it to humans, even if they have rough or bumpy skin.
So, while a salamander might look like it has warts, it doesn’t have the virus that causes real warts in people.
Are There Any Health Risks to Touching Salamanders?
Even though salamanders won’t give you warts, there are still a few reasons to be cautious when handling them.
1. Skin Toxins
Many salamanders have mild toxins on their skin. These are natural chemicals that help protect them from predators. They are not harmful to touch, but they can cause irritation if you get them in your eyes, mouth, or on a cut.
For example, if you touch a salamander and then rub your eyes without washing your hands, you might feel a mild stinging or burning sensation.
That’s why it’s always best to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any amphibian.
2. Bacteria Like Salmonella
Some salamanders carry Salmonella, a type of bacteria that can make people sick. This bacteria lives naturally on the skin or in the digestive tract of many reptiles and amphibians.
It doesn’t hurt the animal, but if it gets into a person’s system, it can cause symptoms like:
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Nausea
Salmonella infections can happen if someone touches a salamander, then eats food or touches their mouth without washing their hands. It’s one of the most important reasons to always clean up after any contact with wild animals.
What You Have on Your Hands Matters Too
Salamanders don’t just need us to be careful for our own sake, they need us to protect them as well.
Their skin is extremely thin and sensitive. In fact, salamanders absorb water, oxygen, and chemicals directly through their skin. This means that any residue on your hands, even if it’s invisible, can harm them.
Things that might seem harmless to us (like hand lotion, insect repellent, sunscreen, or soap) can be dangerous to a salamander.
The chemicals in these products can soak into their skin and cause damage to their organs or nervous system.
If you plan to handle a salamander, it’s best to rinse your hands with clean, dechlorinated water first. Avoid using hand sanitizer or any product with alcohol, and do not handle them if you’ve recently applied lotions or sprays.
How to Handle Salamanders Safely
If you come across a salamander in the wild or need to handle one in captivity, following a few simple steps can keep both you and the salamander safe:
- Rinse your hands first: Use clean water with no soap, chlorine, or chemicals. This helps prevent harm to the salamander’s skin.
- Use a gentle touch: Salamanders are fragile. Avoid squeezing, poking, or holding them too tightly. A gentle scoop with wet hands is best.
- Limit contact time: Keep handling brief. The longer you hold them, the more stress they may feel, and the more likely their skin will dry out.
- Wash your hands afterward: Use warm water and soap to remove any bacteria or toxins that may have transferred from their skin.
If you follow these steps, you can enjoy a safe and respectful interaction with these fascinating animals.
Why Adults Still Warn Children About Salamanders
Even today, many parents and teachers tell children not to touch frogs or salamanders. Some of these warnings are based on the old myth about warts. But often, the concern is really about hygiene and safety.
Children may not always remember to wash their hands after touching animals. They might also be more likely to rub their eyes or put their fingers in their mouths. That increases the risk of transferring bacteria like Salmonella.
So, while the idea of “wart-causing salamanders” is not accurate, the habit of warning kids to be cautious does have a useful purpose.
It helps prevent illness and protects both the child and the salamander.
The best approach is not fear, but education. Teaching children how to observe and handle wildlife gently and how to wash up afterward helps them develop a respectful relationship with nature.
Do Any Animals Cause Warts?
No animal can give you warts. Warts are caused only by the HPV virus, and that virus is spread between humans.
This means:
- Dogs do not cause warts
- Frogs and toads do not cause warts
- Salamanders do not cause warts
- Lizards and snakes do not cause warts
Even if an animal has bumpy, rough, or lumpy skin, that has nothing to do with the virus that causes warts in people.
If you get a wart on your hand or foot, the source was most likely another person or a shared surface, not an animal you touched.
Why This Myth Still Exists
The idea that touching animals causes warts has been around for centuries. It appears in fairy tales, cartoons, and old stories passed down through families.
Part of the reason the myth sticks around is that it sounds believable. Amphibians often have bumpy, wet skin, and warts look like small bumps too. But the connection is only skin deep, literally.
In truth, science has shown us that HPV is the only cause of warts. And because salamanders cannot carry this virus, the old warning is based on appearance, not fact.
Still, these kinds of myths often linger long after they’ve been proven false.
That’s why it’s important to keep sharing accurate information, especially with young children who may be hearing the myth for the first time.
Salamanders Are Harmless and Important
Salamanders might look strange, but they are harmless animals. They play a valuable role in nature by eating insects and helping keep ecosystems in balance.
Because they are sensitive to pollution and environmental change, salamanders are also important indicators of ecosystem health. Their presence usually means that the local water, soil, and air are clean.
They are not pests. They don’t carry human viruses, they don’t bite or sting, and they don’t want to hurt anyone. If anything, it’s people who need to be careful not to harm them.
Conclusion
Salamanders do not give people warts. That old belief is just a myth. Warts come from a human virus called HPV, which spreads from person to person, not from animals.
Even if a salamander’s skin looks bumpy or strange, it has nothing to do with the cause of warts in humans.
That said, it’s still wise to be careful when handling salamanders. Some may have mild toxins on their skin, and they can carry bacteria like Salmonella.
Washing your hands after contact helps protect your health, while rinsing your hands beforehand helps protect the salamander.
Hi, my name is Ezra Mushala, i have been interested animals all my life. I am the main author and editor here at snakeinformer.com.