If you’ve ever come across a small, slimy creature crawling near a pond or swimming through a stream, you might wonder, was that a salamander, or a newt? Newts are a type of salamander, but not all salamanders are newts. It’s kind of like the whole “square and rectangle” thing. All newts belong to the … Read more
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 … Read more
Amphibians are a diverse group of species found in a wide variety of habitats, from rain forests to mountainous areas, to dry regions. But have you ever wondered if amphibians can be found in the ocean, or in other marine environments? The majority of amphibian species can not live in saltwater because salt tends to … Read more
Almost everyone who sees them agrees that newts are endearing little creatures. They make amusing pets and are relatively easy to maintain. However, many people have misconceptions about these little amphibians. So, can newts swim? All newts can swim. They are semi-aquatic creatures (they live both on land and in the water) as adults and … Read more
Newts are endearing little creatures that are fun to observe in the wild and make amusing pets. While they seem defenseless when it comes to fending off hungry predators, they have a few tricks to keep predators away. But are newts poisonous? All newts produce poisonous secretions that make them distasteful or lethal to most … Read more
Many people know that newts love to spend a lot of their time in streams, ponds, and other water bodies. During the winter, they will sometimes even hibernate at the very bottom of ponds to protect themselves from the frost. But how long can newts stay underwater? Newt larvae (baby newts) have gills and can … Read more
Eastern newts (sometimes called eastern red-spotted newts) are found across much of the eastern united states and up into Canada. These newts are easy to identify by their olive-green coloration and the black-bordered red spots along their back. But are eastern newts poisonous? Eastern red-spotted newts produce a highly poisonous toxin known as tetrodotoxin as … Read more
When the winter ends and warmer spring temperatures arrive, amphibians emerge from hibernation and migrate to breeding sites to lay their eggs. Most amphibians will lay their eggs in the water, but many will lay their eggs on land. Amphibian eggs laid in the water can be difficult to tell apart unless you have a … Read more
Salamanders are often informally divided into two groups, “true salamanders” and newts. These two groups are very similar but do have some differences. Salamanders typically have smooth moist skin while newts tend to have more rough, grainy skin. Newts look somewhat like lizards. They have a slender body, a long tail, and four short legs. … Read more
Dogs are natural predators, so it is common for them to chase and catch smaller animals in their mouths. Sometimes, these “smaller animals” may include certain species of newts. But are newts poisonous to dogs? All newts produce toxic skin secretions that can be very irritating or even lethal when ingested by a dog. This … Read more