I'm not aware of other newt species in their range that look similar. I do think the article plays up their toxicity some. There's only one reported human fata

I'm not aware of other newt species in their range that look similar. I do think the article plays up their toxicity some. There's only one reported human fatality I could find, from some dipshit who ate one on a dare. If you handle them gently and don't stuff your entire hand in your mouth immediately after, I suspect you're fine.