A newt is a small amphibian that looks like a lizard but lives part of its life in water and part on land. Newts have smooth, often brightly colored skin (sometimes orange, red, or spotted), four legs, and a long tail. They belong to the salamander family, and many kinds of newts spend much of their adult life in ponds, streams, or lakes.

Like frogs, newts start life as water-breathing babies with gills, then transform as they grow, developing lungs so they can breathe air. Many newts return to water to breed, but spend the rest of the year hunting for insects, worms, and slugs on land. If you gently flip over a log in a damp forest, you might find a newt underneath, its skin glistening with moisture.

Newts have a remarkable ability: many species can regrow lost body parts, including legs, tails, and even parts of their heart or eyes. Scientists study newts to understand how this regeneration works, hoping it might someday help humans heal injuries.

Despite their small size (usually 3 to 5 inches long), newts pack powerful defenses. Their bright colors warn predators that their skin contains toxins. People should avoid handling them, and always wash their hands afterward if they do.