Pygmy marbled newt
A species of Crested and marbled newts Scientific name : Triturus pygmaeus Genus : Crested and marbled newts
Pygmy marbled newt, A species of Crested and marbled newts
Scientific name: Triturus pygmaeus
Genus: Crested and marbled newts
Content
Description General Info
Photo By simaomateus , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The southern marbled newt or pygmy marbled newt (Triturus pygmaeus) is a species of salamander in the Salamandridae family. It is found in Portugal and Spain. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, water storage areas, ponds, open excavations, irrigated land, canals and ditches. It is threatened by habitat loss.
General Info
Lifespan
10-15 years
Diet
Pygmy marbled newt, commonly known as the mini newt, mainly consumes small invertebrates. Its diet includes a variety of water-dwelling organisms like molluscs, insects, and crustaceans, sometimes supplemented by terrestrial invertebrates.
Appearance
Pygmy marbled newt is a small, slender newt with smooth skin. Males exhibit striking seasonal variations, with a wavy dorsal crest and yellow-orange belly during breeding season, and a more subdued coloration rest of the year. Females remain constant with their less conspicuous green-brown body, having no crest and a paler belly. Both sexes have blue spots scattered along their flanks. They sport a long tail, which is vertically flat for males and rounded for females.
Behavior
Pygmy marbled newt is characterized by secretive, nocturnal habits. Males engage in elaborate underwater courtship displays during spring breeding season. This species mostly forages on land but retreats to aquatic environments for hibernation. As solitary amphibians, they showcase defensive responses like immobility and tail-raising when threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Salamanders Family
True salamanders Species
Pygmy marbled newt 
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