Are Newts Friendly? (Their Behavior Explained)

California Newt Taricha torosa on wet ground

When you come across a newt in your garden or near water, you might notice how calm and gentle it looks. So are newts friendly? Newts aren’t friendly the way dogs or cats are. They don’t seek out humans or try to form bonds with people. Still, they are usually calm and non-aggressive. They tolerate humans … Read more

Are Newts Fully Aquatic? (Their Habitat Explained)

Northern Smooth Newt

When you watch newts swimming smoothly through your pond or weaving through plants underwater, it’s easy to think they live only in water. So are newts fully aquatic? No, most newts aren’t fully aquatic. They’re great swimmers and spend lots of time in water, especially during breeding season. But most newts also live on land … Read more

Are Newts Deadly? (Safety Facts Explained)

Rough Skin newt on a gray rock

When you hear that some amphibians are toxic, you might wonder just how dangerous these little creatures really are. So are newts deadly? Some newts can be deadly, especially the rough-skinned newt found in western North America. This newt makes tetrodotoxin, one of the strongest natural toxins, which can kill humans and animals even in … Read more

Are Newts Considered Salamanders? (Facts Explained)

eastern newt on hand

When you’re looking at the animals in your garden pond, it’s easy to get confused. Some creatures look very similar, but have different names, and you might wonder if they’re really the same or something different. So are newts considered salamanders? Yes, newts are considered salamanders. Every newt belongs to the salamander family, which means … Read more

Are Newts Cannibalistic? (Their Behavior Explained)

3 Smooth newts in water

When you watch newts in a pond during breeding season, you might notice some strange behavior if you look closely. So, are newts cannibalistic? Yes, newts can be cannibalistic. This happens most often during their larval stage, when they are still growing in water. Adult newts sometimes eat smaller newts, but larvae are the ones … Read more

Are Newts Cold-Blooded? (Biology Explained)

Smooth newt in a glass jar with water

When you watch a newt moving slowly across a cool morning garden path, you might notice how its activity seems tied to the temperature around it. So are newts cold blooded? Yes, newts are cold blooded. That means they can’t control their body temperature inside like mammals or birds do. Instead, their body temperature matches … Read more

Are Newts Brown? (Color Variations Explained)

Smooth newt on wet pavement (2)

When you’re walking through a garden or exploring near a pond, you might spot small amphibians that blend perfectly with the brown leaves, soil, and tree bark around them. This makes many people wonder: are newts brown? Yes, many newts are brown. It’s actually one of the most common colors you’ll see in wild newts. … Read more