# Common Newt (*Lissotriton vulgaris*) The Common Newt is a tiny, slimy creature that swims and walks on land. They have a cool wiggly tail that helps them swim fast! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Ponds, marshes, and gardens - **Also known as:** Eurasian Newt, Northern Newt ![Common Newt](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424810/objects/5660.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Newt is a small amphibian with smooth, often olive-brown to dark brown skin, and a distinctive orange or yellow belly covered in black spots. Males develop a wavy crest along their back during breeding season, making them visually different from females and other newt species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Salamandridae - **Genus:** Lissotriton ## Interesting facts - Common newts spend winter snuggled deep underground or hidden in logs! - Each female newt carefully wraps her eggs in leaves, one at a time! - Male newts grow a fancy, wavy crest just for showing off to females! - They can breathe through their skin, even underwater! ## Special abilities - **Super Regeneration:** Common Newts can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even eye parts because of their incredible regenerative abilities. - **Seasonal Style:** The Common Newt changes skin texture and coloration that helps them camouflage or attract mates seasonally. - **Sticky Trap Tongue:** The Common Newt has a quick, sticky tongue that helps them snatch small insects and worms on land. - **Underwater Navigator:** Common Newts can swim gracefully using their flattened tail, which helps them move through aquatic habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8-11 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 100-300 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-120 days ## Diet & Feeding Tiny newts feast on small invertebrates, both in water and on land, keeping their habitats healthy. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat microscopic plankton; adults hunt larger insects and worms. - **Primary Foods:** insect larvae, water fleas, worms, slugs, snails, small crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Mallard duck (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ducks sometimes prey on newts, especially juveniles. - **Eaten by:** [Northern Pike](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike) (*Esox lucius*) — Large fish like pike can eat adult common newts. - **Hunts:** Common house mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Newts eat mosquito larvae, helping control populations. - **Eats:** Water flea (*Daphnia pulex*) — Newt larvae filter-feed on these tiny aquatic organisms. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Newt? Compare body shape, toes, markings, tail and skin texture. Tadpoles and larvae can look nothing like the adults they turn into. Amphibian Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Newt? 8-11 cm ### How much does Common Newt weigh? 0.002-0.005 kg ### How long does Common Newt live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Common Newt move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Common Newt eat? Tiny newts feast on small invertebrates, both in water and on land, keeping their habitats healthy. ### Where is Common Newt usually found? Ponds, marshes, and gardens ### How does Common Newt hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Cotswold Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cotswold-wildlife-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Pairi Daiza](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pairi-daiza) — Hainaut, BE · Zoo - [London Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/london-aquarium) — England, GB · Aquarium - [Skandinavisk Dyrepark](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skandinavisk-dyrepark) — Central Denmark Region, DK · Zoo - [Landschaftspark Herzberge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/landschaftspark-herzberge-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Park [View all places to see Common Newt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-newt) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Common Newt: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-newt)