newt - Characteristics, Development, Distribution

An amphibian of order Urodela; resembles the salamander, but adults spend summer or entire year in water; breeds in water; young (called the eft stage) live on land for 1–7 years. (Genera: Triturus, Taricha, Notophthalmus, Pleurodeles, Echinotriton. Family: Salamandridae.)

iNewts
Smooth Newt (Triturus vulgaris)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Lissamphibia Order: Caudata/Urodela Family: Salamandridae

Newts are small, usually bright-coloured semiaquatic salamanders of North America, Europe and North Asia, distinguished from other salamanders by the lack of rib or costal grooves along the sides of the body.

Characteristics

Newts have the ability to regenerate limbs, eyes and spinal cords.

Many newts produce toxins in their skin secretions as a defense mechanism against predators. the Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa) of the Pacific Northwest produces more than enough tetrodotoxin to kill an adult human foolish enough to swallow a newt.

Handling newts

Theoretically it is safe to handle newts provided one thoroughly washes one's hands.

Development

Newts can take several years to reach sexual maturity.

Distribution

The three common British species are the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus), Smooth Newt (Triturus vulgaris) and the Palmate Newt (Triturus helveticus). On the mainland of Europe exists such species as the Spanish Ribbed Newt (Plurodeles waltl), the largest species of newt, the Alpine Newt, and the Southern Crested Newt.

In North America, the Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is one of the most abundant species, but it is limited to the area east of the Rocky Mountains so it is also called the "Eastern Newt". The three species of Coastal newt are the Red Bellied Newt, the California Newt, and the Rough-skinned Newt, all of which belong to the genus Taricha, which is confined to the area west of the Rockies. The witches in Macbeth include "Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog" along with many other repulsive ingredients in a recipe for their potion, but the "eye of newt" stands foremost in the popular imagination as the archetypical arcane spell ingredient.