The Difference Between a Paddletail Newt and a Fire Belly Newt

Newts are small amphibious creatures that are found in the wild throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Closely related to salamanders, newts have four short legs and a long tail. Because they are amphibians like frogs and salamanders, they can breathe both water and air. Their small size and mild nature make them popular pets kept in aquariums. Fire belly newts and paddletail newts are commonly confused species in pet stores.

  1. Paddletail Newts

    • One of the most common newts sold in the pet trade is the paddletail newt. There are two main species, Pachytriton labiatus and Pachytriton brevipes. These newts grow to be about six or seven inches long and can live 10 years or more in captivity. Their color can differ depending on the species from red to brown, and some individuals can have white or yellow spots on their bodies. All paddletail newts have stout heads and long, paddle-shaped tails, which give them their common name. It is important to know your species because paddletail newts can attack and kill other newts when placed in the same habitat.

    Fire Belly Newts

    • Fire belly newts are also commonly sold in the pet trade, and paddletail newts are often misidentified in pet stores as fire belly newts. Fire belly newts are similar in size, shape and color to paddletails. They can grow to be five inches long, and they usually have dark brown or black skin. Their bellies often have a bright orange color, which results in their name. The two main species of fire belly newts are the Chinese fire belly newt (Cynops orientalis) and the Japanese fire belly newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster). They are mainly differentiated by the fact that the Chinese fire belly newt has smoother skin and a more rounded tail than the Japanese fire belly newt.

    Tail Shape

    • The main difference between a fire belly newt and a paddle tail newt is the shape of their tail. While fire belly newts have different tail shapes between species, and even between the sexes, their tails are either pointed or slightly rounded. Paddletail newt tails have a broad, paddle-like look to them, as they get slightly broader towards the end. Fire belly newt tails taper from their bodies.

    Skin

    • Paddletail newts have extremely smooth skin, which can feel soft and almost slimy to the touch. Fire belly newts have a wider range of skin textures. Japanese fire belly newts actually have a more granulated texture to their skin, sometimes exhibited as bumps. However, Chinese fire belly newts have more smooth skin.

    Size

    • Paddletail newts can grow to be considerably larger than fire belly newts. While this feature is not immediately recognizable in a pet store that is selling immature newts, it is a common distinction. Adult fire belly newts normally do not grow larger than five inches long while paddletail newts can grow up to seven inches long.