# Marbled Newt (*Triturus marmoratus*) The Marbled Newt is a colorful little creature with a smooth body and lovely patterns. They are often found near water and love to hide among plants and rocks. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Marbled Newt](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Triturus_marmoratus.JPG&width=800) Photo: Eduard Solà, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triturus_marmoratus.JPG) ## Appearance The Marbled Newt has a stunning green body covered in irregular black marbling, making it look like a mosaic. Males develop a tall, jagged black-and-yellow crest along their back during breeding season. Its belly is typically yellow or orange with dark spots. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Salamandridae - **Genus:** Triturus ## Interesting facts - Female newts carefully fold individual leaves around each egg they lay in water! - Marbled Newts spend most of their lives hidden, often only seen during breeding season! - Newly hatched newt larvae have amazing feathery gills on the outside of their heads! - These amphibians hibernate underground or under logs to safely survive cold winters. ## Special abilities - **Amazing Regrowth:** Marbled Newts can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even parts of their brain because of special cells that helps them recover from injuries. - **Toxic Shield:** Marbled Newts have glands in their skin that produce a mild toxin, which helps them deter predators from eating them. - **Underwater Breath:** Marbled Newts can breathe through their skin in water because their skin is permeable, helping them absorb oxygen without surfacing. - **Seasonal Makeover:** Male Marbled Newts grow a spectacular, wavy crest during breeding season that helps them attract females with an impressive display. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-17 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-15 years - **Speed:** 1.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 150-400 - **Metamorphosis:** 90-120 days ## Diet & Feeding Marbled Newts are hunters that eat small creatures they find both in water and on land! - **Age differences:** Larvae eat microscopic aquatic prey, while adults hunt larger insects and worms. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Worms, Slugs, Snails, Tadpoles, Small crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** common earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Adult newts forage for these worms on land. - **Eats:** common mosquito (*Culex pipiens*) — Newts and their larvae consume mosquito larvae in water. - **Eaten by:** [grass snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — Grass snakes are a key predator of newts near water. - **Eaten by:** [grey heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Herons opportunistically prey on newts found in ponds. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch where you step near water to keep newts safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Marbled 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 Marbled Newt? 13-17 cm ### How much does Marbled Newt weigh? 0.01-0.03 kg ### How long does Marbled Newt live? 8-15 years ### How fast can Marbled Newt move? 1.5 km/h ### What does Marbled Newt eat? Marbled Newts are hunters that eat small creatures they find both in water and on land! ### Where is Marbled Newt usually found? Wetlands ### How does Marbled Newt hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Armorique Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armorique-regional-nature-park) — Bretagne, FR · Park - [Pinail National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pinail-national-nature-reserve) — Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR · Park ## 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: [Marbled Newt: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/marbled-newt)