Are Newts Related to Frogs? (The Truth Might Surprise You!

Have you ever spotted a small, wiggly newt in a pond and wondered: are they like frogs? They look a little similar, both being amphibians, but are they really related?

Newts and frogs are both amphibians, but they aren’t as closely related as you might think. They both belong to the class Amphibia, which means they share some basic traits: they need wet environments, lay eggs in water, and have skin that can soak up moisture.

But within that group, newts and frogs split into different branches, each with their own story of how they evolved.

What Makes an Amphibian an Amphibian

Before we talk about their relationship, it helps to know what makes an animal an amphibian.

Amphibians are animals that can live in water and on land at some point in their life.

They usually:

• Have thin, wet skin that can soak up water and oxygen

• Lay eggs in water

• Start life as larvae with gills and then change into adults with lungs

Both newts and frogs fit this description, but how they grow, move, and live on land is different in important ways.

How Frogs and Newts Differ in Body Structure

Even though they are in the same class, frogs and newts look very different.

Frogs have long, strong legs made for jumping and swimming. Their bodies are compact, and they usually have smooth, slimy skin.

Newts, on the other hand, have short legs and long, slender bodies with tails. Their skin is wet too, but often rougher or bumpier than a frog’s.

These differences show that frogs and newts evolved to move and survive in slightly different ways, even if they share a distant ancestor.

Frogs and Newts Have Different Life Cycles

Frogs and newts both have interesting life cycles, but they aren’t the same.

Frogs: Eggs hatch into tadpoles that live entirely in water. Tadpoles grow legs, lose their tails, and become adult frogs that hop on land.

Newts: Eggs hatch into larvae with tiny legs and tails. The larvae slowly grow into juveniles and adults, often keeping their tails and swimming skills.

Some species even have a “land stage,” like the red eft of the Eastern Newt, where juveniles live on land for years before going back to water.

Basically, frogs jump from water to land, while newts often live in both worlds for much longer.

Do Newts Have the Same Anatomy as Frogs?

Here’s the simple answer: no, newts aren’t frogs.

• Frogs belong to the order Anura.
• Newts belong to the order Caudata (also called Urodela).

That means while they’re both amphibians, they split into different evolutionary branches millions of years ago.

Their last common ancestor was an early amphibian, but after that, newts and frogs went their own ways.

What Traits Do Newts and Frogs Share?

It’s easy to see why people mix them up:

• Both live in ponds, streams, or damp forests

• Both have wet skin that glistens in sunlight

• Both lay eggs in water

• Both can move between land and water

These similarities come from shared ancestry and living in similar environments, but they don’t mean newts are frogs.

Think of it like cousins: they share some traits, but they live very different lives.

How Newts and Frogs Adapt Differently to Land

Frogs are built for jumping and catching insects. Their long legs make them fast jumpers, and their sticky tongues help them grab prey quickly.

Newts crawl and swim slowly. They hunt worms, tiny insects, and small crustaceans carefully.

On land, frogs move fast and hide quickly, while newts rely on camouflage, staying under leaves or moss to stay safe.

Their different lifestyles show how they evolved separately.

Why Newts and Frogs Have Similar Skin

Both frogs and newts have wet skin, but there’s a subtle difference. Frog skin is usually smoother and sometimes more slippery, while newt skin can be bumpy, rough, or slightly sticky.

Both types of skin help absorb water and oxygen, which is why they stick near wet areas.

Their skin similarity makes people think they are closely related, but it’s really about living as amphibians, not being the same animal.

Can Frogs and Newts Live Together?

You might wonder: if they are similar, can they share the same pond?

Most of the time, yes. Frogs and newts can live in the same pond, but they usually avoid competition.

Frogs often eat insects near the water surface, while newts hunt underwater or on the pond floor.

Sometimes frogs may eat tiny newt larvae, so living together takes balance.

Seeing both in one pond is like watching two different neighbors sharing a space without bumping into each other too much.

Conclusion

So, are newts related to frogs? Yes, in a broad sense, they’re both amphibians. But in terms of family and lifestyle, they are quite separate.

Newts are Caudata, frogs are Anura, and each has evolved its own way of living in water and on land.

Newts are slow, careful crawlers with tails who like both water and land. Frogs are leaping hunters built for speed and catching insects.

Both are interesting, but their lives are very different.

Next time you see a frog hopping or a newt crawling under a log, you’ll know: they may look similar, but their lives are truly their own.