Fun Striped Newt Facts For Kids

The striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus) is a salamander species native to the continent of North America. It is specifically found in the southeastern parts of the USA in places like north-central Florida and southeastern Georgia. Striped newts are found in habitats such as pine flatwoods, xeric hammocks, and sandhills with temporary ponds being their preferred breeding habitat. This is so that they can escape predatory fish. They live for 12-15 years in the wild and are named for the two red stripes that run along their backs. Throughout their life history, the skin of striped newts changes with the habitat they are in. In an aquatic habitat, they have soft skin and in a terrestrial habitat, they have coarse skin. Striped newts are similar in appearance to eastern newts but eastern newts have red spots and not stripes. The striped newt species is a Near Threatened species as per the IUCN. This is because of a rapid decline in their habitat quality due to human interference activities such as converting territorial land into agricultural, silvicultural, commercial land, fire suppression, and pet trade exploitation.For more relatable content, check out these Chinese giant salamander facts and spotted salamander fun facts for kids.

What do they prey on? Small aquatic & terrestrial invertebrates, fairy shrimp, tadpoles, eggs of amphibians, spiders, worms, small insects, and snails

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 150-300 eggs

How much do they weigh? 0.03 oz (0.8 g)

How long are they? 2-4.1 in (5.1-10.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Olive-brown, yellow, red, black, and gray

Skin Type Smooth or coarse delicate skin

What were their main threats? Humans, Birds, And Snakes, Mole Salamanders

What is their conservation status? Near Threatened

Where you’ll find them? Pine Flatwoods, Sinkholes, Sandhills, Under Old Stumps & Fallen Trees, And Bay Ponds, Xeric Hammocks, Underground

Locations Orlando, North-central Florida, And Tallahassee In North America, Southeastern Georgia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Notophthalmus

Class Amphibia

Family Salamandridae

Striped Newt Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a striped newt?The striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus) is an aquatic salamander.What class of animal does a striped newt belong to?The striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus) belongs to the Amphibia class of animals.How many striped newts are there in the world?It is not clear exactly how many striped newts there are in the world. This is because the density of their population changes depending on the availability of breeding ponds, making them rare in some places and common in others. Some local populations number are in the thousands but the overall numbers are declining.Where does a striped newt live?Striped newts (Notophthalmus perstriatus) are found in the continent of North America, specifically the southeastern parts of the United States. They are considered native to north-central Florida and southeastern Georgia. The habitat range extends as far as Orlando in the south and Tallahassee in the west.What is a striped newt’s habitat?Striped newts live in a variety of habitats like pine flatwoods, xeric hammocks, and sandhills. They like to burrow in their habitat and live underneath the underground. They are also seen under old stumps and fallen trees. Striped newts also rely on sources of water in the breeding season like bay ponds and sinkholes. They are often seen living close to ponds, hammock ponds included, and sandy soils.Who do striped newts live with?Striped newts are not territorial creatures. They may be seen in their habitat together or with mates, sometimes with different species like eastern newts.How long does a striped newt live?Striped newts live for 12-15 years in their wild habitat.How do they reproduce?Striped newts reproduce via mating and egg-laying. They become mature at the age of eight to 24 months. The breeding season is from late fall to early spring. They choose temporary ponds for breeding to avoid predatorial fish. These ponds that are 4.9 ft (1.5 m) usually have a tree canopy that can let in sunshine and provide shade. Egg-laying may last for several months with only one egg being laid at a time. Each egg is hidden by a female newt by wrapping it in an aquatic plant’s leaf. The eggs being adhesive attach themselves to aquatic plants. Striped newts are known to return to the same breeding sites every year unless there is a severe drought. Migrating periods may sometimes be changed by striped newts owing to the unpredictability of the breeding sites.What is their conservation status?The conservation status of the striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus) species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature is Near Threatened.Striped Newt Fun FactsWhat do striped newts look like?Striped newts are usually brown or olive-green in color. They have yellow-colored bellies and the back has two red stripes running down their backs. Some individual newts have red spots next to these stripes or even black spots on the belly. Cranial ridges and costal grooves are absent from the bodies of striped newts. When in aquatic environments, striped newts develop a tail fin and skin that is smooth. They lose the tail fin in terrestrial habitats and the skin develops coarseness.The legs are slim and males tend to have bigger hind legs than females. The legs and feet of the males also have some outgrowths or excrescences. The vent area of the males has a glandular cluster that is orange. The females do not have this cluster. Apart from these features, the females and males are similar. The front feet have four toes and the hind feet have five toes.The hatchlings of the striped newt species have 0.3 in (0.8 cm) long when measured from tail to snout. Across the length of the body are a couple of dark stripes which go away when they are one week old. The hatchlings do not possess legs and they get two newer stripes after the previous ones fade away. The hatchlings are dark gray to green in color and have pale yellow bellies. The tail has black spots and bushy external gills are present. The skin of hatchlings is very smooth and delicate. The hatchlings also go through an ’eft’ stage where they have red to orange bodies, red stripes, and rough skin.Eastern newts and striped newts are sometimes confused with each other. They have similar colorations and have coarse skin in the adult stage. Costal grooves are also absent from both. Eastern newts have red spots on their backs and no stripes and are overall larger.How cute are they?Striped newts are relatively cute. They are a plain green color with red stripes that are just visible. One of their novel features is the ability to adjust their skin from soft to coarse when there is a habitat change. Striped newts are small and plain and they have a deadly toxin in their bodies.How do they communicate?Striped newts are known to use smell and sight to perceive their surroundings. In the larval stages, they have a lateral line that can detect water vibrations. Striped newts also use touch and smell to examine their prey. Olfactory senses and smells also play a role in communication and reproductive processes, with males preferring the female odors in the breeding season.How big is a striped newt?Striped newts are 2-4.1 in (5.1-10.5 cm) long which makes them two to four times smaller than tiger salamanders, and three to four times smaller than fire salamanders.How fast can a striped newt move?Being newts, striped newts usually move very slowly but are known to be quick when getting away from threats. The exact speeds of a striped newt on land and in water are not known.How much does a striped newt weigh?On average, striped newts weigh 0.03 oz (0.8 g).What are the male and female names of the species?The males and females of the striped newt species do not have specific names.What would you call a baby striped newt?A baby striped newt may be called a larva, a hatchling, an eft, a tadpole, or even a nymph since it is a salamander.What do they eat?The striped newt diet consists of small aquatic & terrestrial invertebrates, fairy shrimp, tadpoles of other species, eggs of amphibians, spiders, worms, small insects, and snails.They themselves get preyed on by mole salamanders, birds, and snakes.Are they poisonous?Yes, striped newts are poisonous when consumed. They are known to secrete a toxin that is used as a defense. If a striped newt is eaten by a human, it can cause serious problems like paralysis and even death.Would they make a good pet?No, striped newts would no make good pets, nor should they be taken as pets. These are wild animals that have a Near Threatened species status. Their habitats should be conserved. Also, they have really delicate skin and it’s very easy to harm them.Did you know…One of the only newts that have stripes are the striped newts, which is why they have this name.Newts go from egg to hatchling and larvae, then to tadpoles and then adults.The lifespan of newts varies with species with many living to 14 years of age in the wild. Some may live for 20 years in captivity or even as low as six to 10 years.Newts have upper and lower jaws.Why is it called a striped newt?It is called a striped newt because it has two red stripes running down its back.Why is the striped newt endangered?There has been a noticeable decline in the striped newt species due to habitat loss all throughout its range. It is a Near Threatened species but is close to being classified as Vulnerable.Among the threats to the striped newt species is the conversion of their natural habitat to agricultural, silvicultural, residential, or commercial grounds. Introduction of predatory species of fish, drainage and enlargement of their aquatic habitat, and water-table lowering due to human consumption also contribute to the list of threats to the striped newt species.According to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the striped newt is not an endangered species.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other amphibians from our olm facts and bullfrog fun facts pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable striped newt coloring pages.

What type of animal is a striped newt?

The striped newt (Notophthalmus perstriatus) is an aquatic salamander.

Fun Striped Newt Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Small aquatic & terrestrial invertebrates, fairy shrimp, tadpoles, eggs of amphibians, spiders, worms, small insects, and snails

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 150-300 eggs

How much do they weigh? 0.03 oz (0.8 g)

How long are they? 2-4.1 in (5.1-10.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Olive-brown, yellow, red, black, and gray

Skin Type Smooth or coarse delicate skin

What were their main threats? Humans, Birds, And Snakes, Mole Salamanders

What is their conservation status? Near Threatened

Where you’ll find them? Pine Flatwoods, Sinkholes, Sandhills, Under Old Stumps & Fallen Trees, And Bay Ponds, Xeric Hammocks, Underground

Locations Orlando, North-central Florida, And Tallahassee In North America, Southeastern Georgia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Notophthalmus

Class Amphibia

Family Salamandridae

Fun Striped Newt Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Small aquatic & terrestrial invertebrates, fairy shrimp, tadpoles, eggs of amphibians, spiders, worms, small insects, and snails

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 150-300 eggs

How much do they weigh? 0.03 oz (0.8 g)

How long are they? 2-4.1 in (5.1-10.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Olive-brown, yellow, red, black, and gray

Skin Type Smooth or coarse delicate skin

What were their main threats? Humans, Birds, And Snakes, Mole Salamanders

What is their conservation status? Near Threatened

Where you’ll find them? Pine Flatwoods, Sinkholes, Sandhills, Under Old Stumps & Fallen Trees, And Bay Ponds, Xeric Hammocks, Underground

Locations Orlando, North-central Florida, And Tallahassee In North America, Southeastern Georgia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Notophthalmus

Class Amphibia

Family Salamandridae

Fun Striped Newt Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Small aquatic & terrestrial invertebrates, fairy shrimp, tadpoles, eggs of amphibians, spiders, worms, small insects, and snails

What do they eat? Carnivore

Average litter size? 150-300 eggs

How much do they weigh? 0.03 oz (0.8 g)

How long are they? 2-4.1 in (5.1-10.5 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Olive-brown, yellow, red, black, and gray

Skin Type Smooth or coarse delicate skin

What were their main threats? Humans, Birds, And Snakes, Mole Salamanders

What is their conservation status? Near Threatened

Where you’ll find them? Pine Flatwoods, Sinkholes, Sandhills, Under Old Stumps & Fallen Trees, And Bay Ponds, Xeric Hammocks, Underground

Locations Orlando, North-central Florida, And Tallahassee In North America, Southeastern Georgia

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Notophthalmus

Class Amphibia

Family Salamandridae