Smooth Newt

Overview

Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) is a newt or salamander native to Europe. A widespread smooth newt of Europe, aquatic in breeding season.

Care level: Intermediate. Toxicity: Low.

History & Origin

The Salamandridae (Newts & Salamanders) is naturally distributed across Europe, where it occupies the typical habitats of its family. It has been kept by specialist and hobbyist keepers both in the wild and in captivity.

Appearance & Size

Smooth Newt is a 7–10 cm newt or salamander.

Temperament

Newts and salamanders are semi-aquatic, cycling between land and water through the year; they are alert, manageable and rewarding, though sensitive to water quality.

Care & Husbandry

A newt needs a semi-aquatic tank cycling between an aquatic phase and a cooler terrestrial phase; clean, dechlorinated water and a land area are essential. Feed live foods (bloodworms, daphnia, small insects) and keep temperatures 15–22 °C for most species.

This species is generally rated Intermediate in difficulty for keepers.

Health & Lifespan

In captivity Smooth Newt typically lives 10–15 years. Newts typically live 10–20 years or more. Skin toxins (e.g. tetrodotoxin in some species) demand hand-washing; maintain clean water and a proper land/water cycle to avoid disease.

Popularity & Recognition

Newts such as the fire salamander have been kept and depicted for centuries; the great crested newt is a well-known European protected species.