A striking and rare amphibian found only on the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. Its name comes from the elongated, sword-like tail seen in males, especially during the breeding season, when the tail becomes even more prominent and helps them court females underwater.

Unlike some of its relatives that blend into the mud with dark backs, the sword-tail newt shows off a bold orange or yellow underside, often speckled with black markings. This fiery belly is a warning sign to predators that it is toxic, thanks to skin secretions that can make it dangerous to eat. Its back, meanwhile, is usually dark brown or olive, providing camouflage among leaf litter, rocks, and stream beds. This mix of hidden earth tones and brilliant warning colors makes it both a master of disguise and a living signal of danger.

The sword-tail newt spends most of its life in cool, shaded forests and wetlands, staying close to clean streams and ponds. Like other newts, it has a dual lifestyle—adults can move about on land in damp conditions, but they are strongly tied to water, especially during the breeding season. Females lay eggs one by one, carefully wrapping them in plant leaves for protection. These newts are mostly nocturnal, hunting at night for small invertebrates like worms, insects, and aquatic larvae.

What makes the sword-tail newt especially fascinating is its conservation story. Being restricted to a chain of islands, it has a much smaller range than the Japanese fire-bellied newt. This has made it more vulnerable to habitat loss, pollution, and collection for the pet trade. Today, it is considered a near-threatened species, with some local populations in decline. Despite this, it is still a favorite among amphibian enthusiasts for its size, striking tail, and brilliant underside.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Japan

VU

2020

Nansei-Shoto