Black-spotted Newt
Notophthalmus meridionalis
The Notophthalmus meridionalis grows to about 50 – 100 mm in total length. It is a smooth-smoothed newt with a comparably large head. They also have elongated limbs. Addi…
How to identify
The Notophthalmus meridionalis grows to about 50 – 100 mm in total length. It is a smooth-smoothed newt with a comparably large head. They also have elongated limbs. Additionally, they have a finned, vertically compressed tail. This newt has an olive-green dorsum and an orange ventral surface, both surfaces having large black spots. Lastly, it may have yellow stripes on its back and blue-green colouration may be present on the sides.
Range
This specie is located in the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz and San Luis Potosi in Mexico. It barely extends into northeastern Hidalgo and Puebla. It can also be found in southern Texas along the Gulf of Mexico.
Habitat
This newt prefers warm and shallow waters with vegetative cover like those in ponds, ditches and swamps. They usually find shelter among submerged rocks. Also, their diet comprises of insects, molluscs, leeches, and small amphibians. It also has toxic secretions from skin glands to deter predators. Lastly. Their breeding often takes place in spring but can happen all year. The females lay up to 300 eggs, they are then attached to submerged vegetation in shallow waters.
Variations
Notophthalmus meridionalis kallerti (Mexican Black-spotted Newt) Notophthalmus meridionalis meridionalis (Texas Black-spotted Newt)
Similar species
Notophthalmus perstriatus: Also known as Striped newt grows to about 54 – 105 mm in total length. This newt is yellow-green to olive-green to black-brown. It also has bright red or orange parallel dorsal stripes. Its underside is yellow with black spots. Notophthalmus viridescens: Also known as Eastern Newt grows to about 70 – 124 mm in total length. Their colour ranges from yellowish-brown to greenish-brown depending on age and sex. They also have black-bordered red spots dorsally. Its ventral surface is yellow with scattered black speckles on the belly.
Name and etymology
Meridionalis: Latin for southern.
At a glance
Range
This specie is located in the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz and San Luis Potosi in Mexico. It barely extends into northeaste…
Habitat
This newt prefers warm and shallow waters with vegetative cover like those in ponds, ditches and swamps. They usually find sh…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap