# Palmate Newt (*Lissotriton helveticus*) The Palmate Newt is a small, friendly creature that loves to swim and explore ponds. With its bright colors and wiggly tail, it's a fun animal to watch in the water! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Palmate Newt](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Triturus_helveticus%28male%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Christian Fischer, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triturus_helveticus%28male%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Palmate Newt has a slender, brownish body with a yellowish to orange belly, often dotted with small dark spots. Breeding males develop distinct webbed hind feet and a thin filament extending from their tail, making them easily distinguishable from other newt species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Salamandridae - **Genus:** Lissotriton ## Interesting facts - Female newts are very careful, laying each tiny egg individually on a leaf. - Males grow special 'palms' on their feet only when they are looking for a mate! - Palmate Newts can live almost their entire life in or very close to water! - They spend cold winters hibernating in cozy log piles or hidden underground! ## Special abilities - **Water Breathing Skin:** Palmate Newt can breathe underwater through its permeable skin, helping it absorb oxygen directly from the water. - **Amazing Regeneration:** Palmate Newt has the incredible ability to regrow lost limbs, tails, and even eye parts, helping it survive injuries. - **Breeding Transformation:** Palmate Newt males grow webbed hind feet and a tail filament during breeding season that helps them swim and attract mates. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-10 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 0.1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 100-400 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-120 days ## Diet & Feeding These newts feast on small insects, larvae, and tiny water creatures like aquatic worms. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat microscopic aquatic organisms; adults hunt larger invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** Insect larvae, Daphnia, Small worms, Slugs, Springtails - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Mosquito Larva (*Culex pipiens*) — A primary food source for newt larvae and adults. - **Eats:** Water Flea (*Daphnia magna*) — Tiny crustaceans, an important food for young newts. - **Eaten by:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — An opportunistic predator of adult newts and juveniles. - **Eaten by:** [European Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-perch) (*Perca fluviatilis*) — Fish preying on newt larvae and sometimes adults. ## Traits - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching any animals, even newts! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Palmate 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 Palmate Newt? 7-10 cm ### How much does Palmate Newt weigh? 0.002-0.005 kg ### How long does Palmate Newt live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Palmate Newt move? 0.1 km/h ### What does Palmate Newt eat? These newts feast on small insects, larvae, and tiny water creatures like aquatic worms. ### Where is Palmate Newt usually found? Wetlands ### How does Palmate Newt hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Alto Najerilla Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alto-najerilla-natural-park) — La Rioja, ES · Park - [Marais d’Isle National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/marais-disle-national-nature-reserve) — Hauts-de-France, FR · Park - [Vercors Regional Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/vercors-regional-nature-park) — Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, FR · Park [View all places to see Palmate Newt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/palmate-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: [Palmate Newt: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/palmate-newt)