Iberian Ribbed Newt

Pleurodeles waltl

The Iberian Ribbed Newt is a small, colorful creature that lives in water. It has special ribs that stick out to help protect it!

Habitat: Wetlands and ponds

Appearance

The Iberian Ribbed Newt has a distinctive flattened body, olive-green to dark brown skin, and prominently visible bony ribs that can poke through its sides when threatened. Its belly is lighter, often yellowish or orange, and can have dark spots.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilySalamandridaeGenusPleurodeles

Iberian Ribbed Newt

Interesting facts

Baby newts breathe with feathery gills, like tiny fish!

Male newts perform an intricate underwater courtship dance.

These newts are popular pets and studied for their healing!

They can survive for months without food, slowing down their body!

Special abilities

Iberian Ribbed Newts can push their sharp ribs through their skin because of specialized bones that help them deter predators.

The Iberian Ribbed Newt has glands in its skin that produce a mild toxin that helps protect them from being eaten.

Iberian Ribbed Newts can regrow limbs, brain parts, and spinal cord, helping them recover from severe injuries.

Measurements & details

Length: 15-30 cm
Weight: 0.05-0.2 kg
Lifespan: 10-20 years
Clutch Size: 100-1300
Metamorphosis: 30-180 days

Diet & Feeding

These hungry newts munch on insects, small crustaceans, and other aquatic critters.

Age differences: Larvae eat smaller invertebrates; adults eat larger prey, including other amphibian larvae.

Primary Foods

insect larvae
Daphnia pulex
Gammarus pulex
small snails
tadpoles

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Viperine Snake

Natrix maura

Adult newts can be prey for this aquatic snake.

eaten by

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Herons will hunt newts and other aquatic life in shallow waters.

eats

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Larger fish may predate on newt larvae and eggs.

hunts

Water Flea

Daphnia pulex

Newt larvae and juveniles feed on these tiny crustaceans.

Traits

Wildlife

Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.

Insectivorous

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

Ancient Lineage

This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.

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.