Newt [Salamandridae Pleurodelinae] Facts

Newts are small salamanders. They are usually very brightly colored. They are often confused with lizards, but do not have scales and have soft skin.

A newt is a salamander in the subfamily Pleurodelinae, also called eft during its terrestrial juvenile phase.

Where Are Newts Found?

Newts are found in North America, Europe and Asia.

What Do Newts Eat?

Newts eat small fish, tadpoles, worm and beetles.

Where Do Newts Live?

Newts live in water when they are very young but as they get older, they usually spend part of their lives on land.

What Are Newts Predators?

The main predators of newt eggs and young newts are fish. Larger predators such as foxes, grass snakes and herons eat the adults newt.

Newt Scientific Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Amphibia
Order	Urodela
Family	Salamandridae
Subfamily	Pleurodelinae Genera
Newt Scientific Name	Salamandridae Pleurodelinae

Fun Facts About Newts

• When newts are injured, they have the ability to grow new body parts such as  limbs, eyes, spinal cords, hearts, intestines, and upper and lower jaws.


• When newts come out of water after breeding they can travel up to 1 km to look for food such as worms and beetles. They live in damp habitats on land.


• Newts can eat many poisonous insects without harm.


• Newts hibernate in winter usually under logs and stones and in rubble piles. Some individuals occasionally spend the winter in the bottom of ponds.


• The Great Crested Newt, Britain’s largest amphibian, can grow twice as big as other newts – up to 18cm long and live for up to 15 years.