Newt

Newt, any species of the genus Triton, Tailed Amphibians of the same family as the Salamander (q.v.). Wallace admits sixteen species, from Europe, except the extreme north, Algeria, Nortn China, and Japan, the eastern states of North America, California, and Oregon. The body is covered with warty tubercles, and there is a series of glandular pores along the lateral line. There are four fingers and five toes, and the male has a back and tail crest, the two being sometimes continuous. These ornaments are most conspicuous during the breeding season. These animals frequent ponds and ditches, sometimes leaving the water for the damp marshy ground on the banks. They prey on worms, insects and their larvae, water-fleas, etc., and even on weaker animals of their own kind. The eggs are attached to water plants, and the young undergo a metamorphosis resembling that of a frog, though a newt tadpole is a beautiful little creature, which cannot be said of the frog tadpole. Six weeks is said to be the normal duration of the metamorphosis; but this supposes a good supply of food, for it may be greatly prolonged by keeping the newt larvae on low diet. Three species are British. The Crested, or Great Water Newt (T. cristatus), is about six inches long, dusky above, with some spots on the side; the under-surface bright orange dotted with black. This species seldom leaves the water when at liberty. The Common Smooth Newt (T. punctatus) is between three and four inches long; brownish above, and orange, with dark marking, on the upper surface. The Palmated Smooth Newt (T. palmipes) has the digits of the hind limbs webbed. If newts are kept in an aquarium, an island - of virgin cork - should be provided for them, and the tank must be kept covered, as these animals have an awkward habit of getting out, and when they have made their escape they generally creep into some corner and die.