Did you ever wonder are newts and salamanders same? What is the difference between Salamanders and newts?
If you have all these questions in your mind, then you have come to the right place!
Recently I was on the lookout for pet salamanders and I quickly realized that there was a lot of confusion between salamanders and newts.
I was not able to identify them, so after coming back I started researching about it, and here is my review guide.
We often use the terms newt and salamander interchangeably, But in fact, there are, obvious distinctions among them.
In this article, I will try to show you the basic and quick identifying differences between the two, so, let us quickly dive in!
Difference Between a Salamander and a Newt?
Again the obvious question Is a salamander a newt? why do some people consider these two distinct amphibians similar?
Newts are a type of salamander, belonging to the subfamily Pleurodelinae of the main family Salamandridae.
Essentially, all newts are salamanders, but all salamanders are not newts.
Salamander and Newt are basically, tail-bearing amphibians of the common order Urodela (Caudata).
Beyond a name, how do we know if you’re looking at a salamander or newt?
Well, there are only a few subtle differences:
Comparison Table Salamanders vs Newts
| Basis | Salamanders | Newts |
| Species | There are 655 Recognized salamander species | There are 100 Recognized Newts species |
| Similarity | All Salamanders are not Newts | All Newts are Salamanders |
| Habitat | Salamanders live mostly terrestrial life. | Newts live a semi-aquatic to aquatic life |
| Physical Traits | Salamanders have longer and rounded tails with well-developed toes | Newts have webbed feet and a paddle-like tail |
| Family Subfamily | Salamander includes different species like spring lizard, water dog, mud puppy & Newts | A newt is a salamander in the subfamily Pleurodelinae |
| Life Cycle Stages | A Salamander has only 2 life stages 1) Gilled juvenile 2) Adult | A newt has 3 life stages 1) Aquatic juvenile with gills 2) Terrestrial juvenile called eft 3) Adult Newt |
Salamanders vs Newts infographic for kids
Fun fact: Newts and Salamanders are called “Hands-Off” Pets
Is a newt a baby salamander?
A newt is a salamander from the subfamily Pleurodelinae. but we cannot consider all aquatic salamanders as newts,
We usually refer to the terrestrial juvenile phase as an eft.
Unlike other members of the Salamandridae family, newts are usually semi-aquatic in nature with 3 life stages.
The transit between water (aquatic) and land (terrestrial) habitats depending on their development stage.
Which animal salamanders evolve from?
it is difficult to point out the exact lineage of organisms for salamanders evolution.
Even though, The first true tetrapods are referred to as salamanders.
Their direct ancestor is still unknown, but they have some known relatives like lobe-finned fish.
Characteristics like juvenile gills, breathing through lungs, claws on the toes, and air-breathing are few factors,
That indicates the evolution of salamanders and other amphibians are from a fish-like organism.
Can newts breed with salamanders?
Newts are salamanders, so every time they mate they are breeding with salamanders! But, that’s not the question, is it?
Newts are a special kind of salamander having 60+ known species and with the possibility for them to interbreed.
but it is not suggested at all to force interbreeding amount various species it may cause diseases and life span reduction.
Can you touch a newt?
Newts shouldn’t be handled any more than absolutely necessary, for your own protection and theirs,
mineral oils soap, chemicals on your hands or skin can injure newt’s by absorbing through their skin, and the simple act of handling can infect or even kill them.
Are newts poisonous? Can they kill you?
Newts Toxin is effective only if we ingest them, although some people report skin irritation after physical contact,
Discomfort zones are particularly eyes and sensitive body parts because of improper washing hands and handling.
Note: There are very few recorded poisoning death cases from touching newts. (In 1979 a person died after ingesting a newt)
Are newts really toxic? Why is the Newt so toxic?
Yes, Some newts are very poisonous, their skin contains a deadly secretion called tetrodotoxin (TTX),
TTX is usually found in snake venom. this exotic pet is capable of producing enough poison to kill a dozen people.
The answer lies in the evolutionary food chain of newts and their predators like (Gartner snakes).
The snakes being higher in the food web usually prey upon newts and many other amphibians.
In a race of survival of the fittest and to protect its own species newt’s developed tetrodotoxin (TTX).
For Further Reading
I hope that you enjoyed reading this article, and have enough information for your presentation.
you can download the infographics and use them in homes walls or worksheets and even send them to your teachers.
here are some more articles related to salamanders and newts that may potentially be in your interest.
Do you want to know if newt or salamander bites hurt?
here is another Article about if Salamanders are poisonous and dangerous for humans