Ezra Mushala

If you’ve ever scooped up a young newt from a pond, you probably noticed the feathery gills sticking out from the sides of its head. At that moment, you might have wondered, if it already breathes with gills, how does it survive on land later? Do newts actually grow lungs? Yes, newts grow lungs as … Read more

If you’ve ever crouched by a pond in spring and watched the water come alive with tiny, wiggling shapes, you might have wondered: are those tadpoles, or are they something else? And if they’re newts, do they actually change like frogs do? Yes, newts go through metamorphosis, but their transformation is very different from frogs. … Read more

If you’ve ever spotted a tiny creature in a pond, you might have wondered, was that a baby frog, or maybe a newt? At first glance, they look alike. But do newts actually turn into frogs, or are they something different? Newts don’t turn into frogs. They are a type of salamander, which is a … Read more

Have you ever stood by a pond, watching the water ripple, and wondered if a newt could just float there like a duck? Newts spend a lot of time in the water, but do they really float, or do they sink? Yes, newts can float, but it depends on what they’re doing. Sometimes they just … Read more

Newts are interesting creatures that are often kept as pets. But have you ever wondered if newts can eat dried mealworms? Yes, newts can eat dried mealworms, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Mealworms are high in protein and often used for pet amphibians, but they’re not a perfect replacement for … Read more

You’re standing by a quiet forest pond in early spring. The water is still, showing soft green from the trees around it. Tiny ripples spread as newts glide silently beneath, looking for mates. You might wonder: after all that effort, do newts die once mating is over? Newts don’t die after mating. Unlike some insects … Read more

You’re crouched by a quiet forest pond and notice a small newt moving slowly across the damp soil, stopping every now and then. You might wonder: does it drink from the pond? Do newts even drink water? Newts don’t drink water the way we do. They get most of the moisture they need straight through … Read more

You’re wandering through a damp forest after a gentle rain when you see a newt moving slowly across the leaf litter. It pauses, then slips into a shallow spot in the soil. You stop and wonder: did it just dig its own hiding place? Yes, newts can dig, but not like moles or other animals … Read more

You’re watching a newt glide through the water, and you might wonder, if it stays too long underwater, can it actually drown? Yes, newts can drown, even though they are great swimmers. Their skin helps them take in oxygen, and they can use lungs or gills depending on their stage of life. But if the … Read more

You’re watching a newt on a damp evening, and you notice it at the base of a mossy wall. You might wonder, can it actually climb up? Can Newts Climb Vertically? Newts can climb short vertical surfaces if they’re rough, damp, and textured. They can’t climb smooth or tall walls. Their bodies don’t have sticky … Read more