Pop Quiz on Friday!What's the Difference Between a Salamander and a Newt?
One is semi-aquatic, the other mostly terrestrial.
The labels of newt and salamander are often used interchangeably, and it's easy to understand why some people think these two distinct amphibians are the same animal. But there are, in fact, distinctions between the two.
Newts are a type of salamander, belonging to a subfamily called Pleurodelinae of the family Salamandridae. Essentially, all newts are salamanders, but not all salamanders are newts.
As adults, newts live a semi-aquatic to aquatic life, while adult salamanders live a mostly terrestrial life, except for when they're breeding and laying eggs. Most newts have webbed feet and a paddle-like tail, which make it easier to live in the water. Salamanders typically have longer and more rounded tails with well-developed toes for digging in soil.
A newt's skin is rough and looks like it's covered in warts, while a salamander's is wet, slick, and shiny. (This is not always the case.) Despite appearing different, though, both need damp conditions to keep their skin moist or else they could die.
Eye of newt
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Eye of newt
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Re: Eye of newt
Newt Gingrich? Lost aquatic features, terrestial. Colorful?
Just asking questions
Just asking questions
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Re: Eye of newt
I don't think the REAL newts consider him a member of the family.
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Re: Eye of newt
There's a salamander loose in our house, and ol' Wifehorn is not pleased with the kittehs who are supposed to be managing that department.
I will be summoned when the usually-quite-efficient Salamander Immobilization team has done its job, then it's time for Salamander Removal and Relocation, using a fairly delicate set of grippers that won't damage the poor beastie (if the cats have left it alive).
But it's late August, there probably won't be more than 5 or 6 more before the cold weather closes in ...
I will be summoned when the usually-quite-efficient Salamander Immobilization team has done its job, then it's time for Salamander Removal and Relocation, using a fairly delicate set of grippers that won't damage the poor beastie (if the cats have left it alive).
But it's late August, there probably won't be more than 5 or 6 more before the cold weather closes in ...
I'm Foggy and I forget if I approved this message.