Southern banded newt
A species of Ommatotriton Scientific name : Ommatotriton vittatus Genus : Ommatotriton
Southern banded newt, A species of Ommatotriton
Scientific name: Ommatotriton vittatus
Genus: Ommatotriton
Content
Description General Info
Description
The southern banded newt (Ommatotriton vittatus) is a species of salamander in the Salamandridae family found in Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.
General Info
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet
Southern banded newt is a carnivorous newt, predominantly consuming invertebrates. Its diet principally consists of small crustaceans, mollusks, spiders, and a variety of insects such as beetles and earthworms. This newt employs foraging and ambush tactics for hunting.
Appearance
Southern banded newt is a medium-sized newt with a body length of up to 16cm, characterized by its slim and elongated shape. It flaunts remarkably smooth skin in gradients of dark green to brown, often embellished with scattered black spots. The belly is strikingly lighter, mostly in orange-ish hues. Both genders sport a distinctive crested spine, but it's taller and more continuous in males during the mating season.
Behavior
Southern banded newt exhibits a primarily nocturnal lifestyle, using the daytime for rest and reserving activity for dusk and night. Known for its territoriality during breeding seasons, it emits a unique acoustic signal as a warning to others. During the rest of the year, it displays a low aggression level and interacts peaceably with fellow species members.
Population
Decreasing
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Salamanders Family
True salamanders Genus
Ommatotriton Species
Southern banded newt 
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