Do Salamanders Eat Newts?

Salamanders may look gentle and slow, but when it comes to food, many of them are surprisingly bold. That leads to an interesting question, what happens when a salamander crosses paths with a newt?

Yes, some salamanders do eat newts. If a newt is small enough to fit in a larger salamander’s mouth, it may be seen as food, especially in the wild where the strongest survive by eating whatever they can catch.

It doesn’t happen all the time, and not all salamanders go after other amphibians. But when size, hunger, and opportunity line up, newts can end up on the menu.

When Salamanders See Other Amphibians as Food

Salamanders are obligate carnivores. Their diet is all about meat, usually soft-bodied animals they can swallow whole.

That includes insects, worms, slugs, and tiny aquatic creatures. But when food is scarce, or when a salamander is large and aggressive, it may go after bigger prey.

That’s where newts come in.

Newts are actually a type of salamander themselves, but the term usually refers to species that spend more time in water.

They’re often smaller, slower, and not as strong-jawed as their terrestrial cousins.

If a larger salamander is hungry and a newt walks or swims by, it might go for it.

This kind of behavior is more common in the wild, where competition is high and animals don’t always get regular meals.

Size Matters (A Lot)

Whether or not a salamander eats a newt mostly depends on size.

A small salamander won’t even try to eat a full-grown newt.

But a large tiger salamander, for example, has a strong enough bite and wide enough mouth to eat smaller amphibians, including young newts or juveniles of other salamander species.

Some aquatic salamanders, like mudpuppies or larval-stage ambystomatids, have even been seen snapping at smaller tank mates. If it fits, it’s fair game.

Even in captivity, some owners have accidentally mixed a large salamander with a smaller one or a newt, only to find that the smaller animal disappears within a day or two.

Are Newts Easy Targets?

Not always. Many newts have a trick up their sleeve: toxins.

Species like the rough-skinned newt and eastern newt produce skin secretions that are toxic if swallowed.

These toxins are meant to keep predators away. In some cases, the toxins are strong enough to kill a would-be attacker.

But that doesn’t mean salamanders always know better.

A hungry salamander might bite first and regret it later. If the newt survives the attack, it may be dropped and left alone.

But if the predator is large enough and the toxin doesn’t act fast, the newt still might get eaten.

Young or recently metamorphosed newts are usually less toxic than adults, which makes them even more vulnerable.

Cannibalism in Salamanders

The idea of a salamander eating another salamander (including a newt) isn’t new. In fact, cannibalism happens more often than people think, especially among juveniles or when food is limited.

Some species, like tiger salamanders, even develop special “cannibal morphs” in the larval stage, larger, more aggressive versions that are built to eat their smaller siblings. It’s all about survival.

In nature, competition can be fierce. Salamanders that hatch early or grow faster often end up eating the smaller ones around them.

Newts can fall into this same category, especially if they share habitat with bigger, hungrier species.

So while it sounds brutal, it’s not personal. It’s just what some salamanders do to stay alive.

Can Salamanders and Newts Live Together?

In captivity, it’s usually not a good idea to house salamanders and newts in the same tank, especially if they’re different sizes or species.

Even if things seem calm at first, you can’t always trust what happens when you’re not watching.

A hungry salamander might attack a tank mate at night or during feeding time. And even if it doesn’t eat the newt, it could injure it.

Another problem is stress. Newts are sensitive animals. Sharing space with a larger, more dominant salamander can leave them hiding all the time, refusing food, or getting sick.

It’s also risky in the other direction. Some newts are so toxic that if another animal tries to bite them (or even shares water with them) it could be harmed.

That’s why most herpetologists recommend keeping species separate, unless you’re absolutely sure they’re compatible.

What Happens in the Wild?

In the wild, salamanders and newts sometimes live in the same forests, ponds, or streams. That doesn’t mean they always interact.

Many stay out of each other’s way. They hunt at different times, hide in different spots, or focus on smaller prey.

But if food is hard to find, or a newt wanders too close to a hungry salamander’s burrow or hideout, it might get eaten.

Still, this kind of predation is opportunistic. Most salamanders don’t go out of their way to hunt newts. It’s more like: “Oh, you’re here and you fit in my mouth, guess I’m eating you.”

Over time, some newts have evolved stronger toxins and brighter warning colors to reduce these kinds of attacks.

And some salamanders have learned to avoid the ones that taste bad.

But young or newly transformed newts don’t always have those advantages. That’s when they’re most at risk.

Are There Exceptions?

Yes, some salamanders are more peaceful than others.

Species like slimy salamanders, spotted salamanders, or red-backed salamanders usually prefer insects and worms over amphibian prey. They tend to be more secretive and less aggressive.

Also, salamanders that live in environments with lots of food aren’t as likely to turn on their neighbors.

If there are plenty of worms, beetles, or fly larvae around, there’s no need to take a risky bite at something poisonous.

Captive salamanders raised on regular meals are also less likely to go after other animals. But the risk is always there, especially if the size difference is noticeable.

So Should You Ever Try It?

If you’re thinking about keeping a salamander and a newt in the same tank, the safest answer is don’t.

Even if it seems like they get along, it only takes one bad moment for things to go wrong. A quick bite, a swallowed leg, or a stress reaction can end badly for both animals.

Instead, give each animal its own space, matched to its specific needs. That way, you won’t have to worry about conflict, poisoning, or missing tank mates.

It’s also better for their health and behavior. Amphibians thrive in calm, stable environments where they don’t feel threatened or overcrowded.

Conclusion

So, do salamanders eat newts?

Sometimes, yes. If a newt is small enough and a salamander is big enough, it can happen. Especially in the wild, or in cramped enclosures where one animal sees another as food.

But it’s not their first choice. Most salamanders eat worms, insects, and soft-bodied prey. Newts are only on the menu when they’re vulnerable and the opportunity is there.

Still, it’s a real risk. That’s why mixing salamanders and newts (especially in captivity) is usually a bad idea.

Give them space, feed them well, and let them live without fear of becoming each other’s next meal.