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NEWTS

INTRODUCTION:-

Newts are amphibians of the salamander family. They have a life history very similar to that of frogs and toads in that the adults  spend most of their life on land  return to water to breed. They are different in form, however ,having long, slender bodies like those of lizards with a tail that is flattened laterally.

 

HIBERNATING ON LAND:-

When they come out of hibernation in spring , newts make their way to ponds and other stretches of still water where water plants grow. They swim by lashing their tails ,but they spend much of their time resting on the mud or among the stems of plants. They can breathe through their skins but every now and then they rise to the surface to gulp air. Hibernation begins in the autumn ,when the newts crawl into crevices in the ground or under logs and stones .Occasionally several will gather together in one place and hibernate in a right place and hibernate in a right mass.

  FEEDING HABITS :-

The jaws of newts are lined with tiny teeth and there are two rows of teeth on the roof of the mouth. These are not used  for cutting food  or for  chewing but merely  to hold slippery , often  wriggling prey. They feed on a variety of of small animals such as worms , snails  and insects when on land  and crustaceans, tadpoles and insect larvae  while living in water.

INTERNAL FERTILIZATION:-

The mating habits  of newts  are quite different from those of common frogs and toads . Fertilization is internal and is effected in a most unusual way . After fertilization the 200-300eggs are usually laid singly on the leaves of water plants. The eggs hatch out  in about 3 weeks  and a more streamlined tadpole than  that of a frog or toad emerges.

UNPLEASANT SECRETION:-

Newts have many enemies; the young ones are eaten by aquatic insects and the adults by fishes, water birds, weasels, rats, hedgehogs and other animals.

NEWT'S NERVE POISON:-

The poison of the crested newt is not only unpleasant , men who have tasted it have found it to be burning . A far move potent poison is that of the California newt. The poison is mostly found on the skin, muscles and blood of the newt.

                       CLASS          :      AMPHIBIA

               ORDER          :      CAUDATA

               FAMILY         :     SALAMADRIDAE

               GENERA        :      TARICHA TOROSA california newt

              & SPECIES      :      TRITURUS  CRISTATUS crested newt

                                      T . HELVITICUS pamate newt

                                      T . VULGARIS smooth newt

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