When threatened, it’s capable of swinging its ribs outwards so that their sharp points actually pierce through its own skin to act as defensive barbs. At the same time, its skin secretes a poisonous substance, coating the exposed ribs and turning them into ‘stings’ that can deliver the poison into the thin skin of an unfortunate predator’s mouth.
Surprisingly, the newt doesn’t seem to suffer any ill effects from doing this. Its efficient immune system and ability to regenerate damaged body parts allow it to heal the self-inflicted wounds quickly and carry on just fine.
They’ve also been sent into space on at least six different missions, studying how well they’re able to breed and regenerate in microgravity.