Newt, (family Salamandridae), generic name used to describe several partially terrestrial salamanders. The family is divided informally into newts and “true salamanders” (that is, all non-newt species within Salamandridae regardless of genus). Since there is little distinction between the two groups, this article considers the family as a whole.Salamandridae or newt is second in diversity to the lungless salamanders (family Plethodontidae); the family is made up of 15 genera of true salamanders and over 50 species of newts.
Salamandridae has a spotty geographic distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere and occurs from western Europe to the Urals, from southern China to Japan, on the west coast of North America, and east of the Rocky Mountains in the east.
stern United States. Salamandrids range from moderately slender to robust-bodied forms. All have well-developed limbs and tails. They are usually less than 20 cm (8 inches) in total length, and many are less than 10 cm (4 inches). Newts have rough skin, and the skin of many salamanders is rugose (wrinkled).
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