What is the Difference Between Newt and Salamander?

Newts and salamanders are both amphibians belonging to the order Caudata, but they have some key differences in their appearance, habitat, and life stages. Here are the main differences between newts and salamanders:

1. Habitat: Newts have a semi-aquatic to aquatic life, while adult salamanders live a mostly terrestrial life, except for when they're breeding and laying eggs.
2. Skin: The skin of newts is rougher and not as slimy as salamanders.
3. Tail: Newts have tails that are paddle-like and narrow, designed for swimming, while salamanders have long, tapered tails.
4. Feet: Salamanders have well-defined toes and feet, while newts often have webbed feet and toes, ideal for living in the water.
5. Life Stages: The life stages of eastern newts are unique, which includes the species found in Montgomery County.

In summary, newts are a type of salamander that primarily live in water and have a rougher skin, paddle-like tails, and webbed feet. Salamanders, on the other hand, are mostly terrestrial creatures with long, tapered tails and well-defined toes and feet.

Comparative Table: Newt vs Salamander

Here is a table comparing the differences between newts and salamanders:

Newts are a branch of the salamander subfamily, known as Pleurodelinae. Both newts and salamanders are amphibians and have similar life cycles, but they have distinct features and habits. Newts spend most of their time in water and have webbed feet, paddle-like tails, and rougher skin compared to salamanders. Salamanders, on the other hand, have long tails resembling lizards' tails, smoother skin, and live on land and in water.