reptile identification

Question
i have just returned from france where i saw an unusual reptile,no one there could identify it,its about 125mm long (nose to tail)4 legs, black in colour, with a yellow band running along the left side of its body around the head and back down the right side. with yellow patches on its tail...is it poisonous many thanks.

Answer
Dear Graham,
thank you for your question.
The first herp that comes to my mind when reading your description is a fire salamander. Here's a website on herps in France that has good pictures and infos on them:
http://www.reptilia-amphibia.net/en/urodels/salamandra-sE.html
They are toxic, although not deadly and you would need to touch the salamander and then ingest the liquid it secretes.
Let me know if this is the herp you saw!
Jennifer