Smooth newt
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Smooth newt
Amphibian
A small amphibian that spends its spring breeding in water and the rest of the year on land.
💡 Fun Facts
- During breeding season, males develop a wavy crest along their backs.
- They can absorb oxygen directly through their moist skin while underwater.
- Their diet consists of insects, slugs, and worms.
📅 Through the Year
- Breeding:March to June
- Hibernation:November to February
Name Story
Lissotriton vulgaris
means “the common smooth Triton”
What does its name mean?
- Lissotriton — smooth TritonGreek lissos 'smooth' + Triton, the fish-tailed sea-god, son of Poseidon
- vulgaris — common, ordinaryLatinDecode this word →
This little newt is named after Triton, the merman son of the sea-god — a perfect choice for an animal that returns to ponds to breed. The 'smooth' in both its names marks its sleek skin, unlike the warty toad. (Scientists once filed it under a different name, Triturus, before moving it to Lissotriton.)