EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Salamandridae is a family of salamanders consisting of true salamanders and newts. Salamandrids are distinguished from other salamanders by the lack of rib or costal grooves along the sides of their bodies and by their rough skin. Their skin is very granular because of the number of poison glands.

Detailed explanation-2: -Newts are in the Order Caudata, Family Salamandridae. Newts are similar to salamanders, but with a few differences: The skin of the newt is rougher and not as slimy. The life stages of eastern newts are unique (this includes the species found in Montgomery County).

Detailed explanation-3: -A newt is a salamander in the subfamily Pleurodelinae. The terrestrial juvenile phase is called an eft. Unlike other members of the family Salamandridae, newts are semiaquatic, alternating between aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Detailed explanation-4: -Other common names that have been used in the literature include: common newt, great water-newt, common water-newt, warty eft, water eft, common smooth newt, small newt, small eft, small evet, and brown eft.

Detailed explanation-5: -salamander, (order Caudata), any member of a group of about 740 species of amphibians that have tails and that constitute the order Caudata. The order comprises 10 families, among which are newts and salamanders proper (family Salamandridae) as well as hellbenders, mud puppies, and lungless salamanders.