Wild Newt Species

Newts are a type of salamander in the sub-category Pleurodelinae. They are distinct from other salamanders because their limbs of equal size and they have a larger tail than other salamanders. Newt larvae have teeth on both their upper and lower jaws. Most newts excrete toxins from their skin as a defense mechanism against predators. Newts also have the ability to regrow lost limbs and to regenerate damaged organs. The ability of the newt to regenerate body parts has led to scientific exploration into possible human health applications. Wild newts can be found in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.

  1. Life Cycle

    • Newts almost always reproduce in the summer. Newts mate in ponds, lakes or slow-moving streams. The female deposits fertilized eggs one at a time and attaches the eggs to plants in the water. The female newt folds the leaf of the plant over the egg to protect it. The newt life cycle progresses through three distinct phases. The first phase is the aquatic larva stage which is spent entirely in water. The second phase is the terrestrial juvenile stage when newts alternate between living in the water and on land.The third stage in the newt life cycle is adulthood. Newts spend the majority of their adulthood on land, but return to the water to breed.

    Newt Species

    • Newt species are distributed across North America, the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia and Japan. There are at least 80 species and more than 20 subspecies of newts. North American species include the eastern newts, such as the red spotted newt, the red-belly and the rough-skinned newt. Crested newts, smooth and banded newts, as well as brook and Alpine newts are found in Europe. Newts in Southeast Asia and Japan include the paddletail, fire belly, crocodile and warty newts.

    Newt Research

    • The ability that newts have to regrow limbs has compelled a field of scientists. There may exist a link between the cells that rapidly reproduce to regrow missing limbs and our own cells that reproduce and form cancerous tumors. Scientists have determined that the chemicals produced in a newts body during the regrowth of limbs are the same chemicals that cause cancerous growths in other animals. Further research into this connection to the chemical may one day lead to more effective cancer treatments.

    Newt Conservation

    • Newt populations around the world have dramatically declined due to habitat destruction and pollution. Conservation groups in the United States and the United Kingdom are working to preserve the natural habitats of these animals. Newts are an important part of the ecosystems where they are found. Some species, such as the Luristan newt found in Iran, are critically endangered due to capture for the pet trade and loss of habitat.