ExploreAmphibians

Lissotriton

The Lissotriton, also known as the smooth newt, is a small, colorful amphibian that loves to swim and explore ponds. They have smooth skin and can be found in gardens and wetlands.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Lissotriton is a small newt, typically brownish-green with a bright yellow or orange belly, often dotted with dark spots. During breeding, males develop a distinct wavy crest along their backs and tails. Its smooth, moist skin helps differentiate it from rough-skinned toads.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilySalamandridaeGenusLissotriton

Lissotriton

Interesting facts

Baby newts, called larvae, use feathery gills to breathe underwater, totally different from adults!

Each female newt can carefully lay hundreds of tiny eggs, one by one, on underwater leaves!

Male newts grow amazing wavy crests during springtime to attract mates!

When cold, newts can hibernate in mud or under logs until warmer weather returns!

Special abilities

Lissotriton can regrow lost limbs, parts of their tail, jaws, or even eyes because of special stem cells.

Lissotriton has skin glands that produce mild toxins, helping them deter hungry predators that might try to eat them.

Lissotriton can absorb oxygen directly through their moist skin, which helps them breathe underwater or on land.

Measurements & details

Length: 6-11 cm
Weight: 0.002-0.01 kg
Lifespan: 6-10 years
Top Speed: 0.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 100-300
Metamorphosis: 60-90 days

Diet & Feeding

Lissotriton are little hunters, feasting on small creepy-crawlies both in water and on land!

Age differences: Larvae primarily eat aquatic invertebrates like water fleas; adults consume a broader range of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates.

Primary Foods

insect larvae
small snails
slugs
worms
water fleas
amphipods

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Grass Snake

Natrix natrix

often preys on adult newts.

eats

Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos

ducks can consume newts in ponds.

hunts

Broad-bodied Chaser

Libellula depressa

dragonfly larvae prey on newt larvae.

eats

Common Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

newts eat these worms on land.

Traits

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.