Southern banded newt

A rather strange-looking animal that kind of, looks like a real-world water dragon

Aviad Bar

The Southern banded newt can be found in Israel, Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, the Russian Federation, Syria, and Turkey’s forests, grasslands, rivers, lakes, marshes, canals, and ditches. Males grow spectacular crests that give them the impression of a much larger and more impressive creature during the breeding season.

Males get a crest, and their colors become brighter and more vibrant on their flanks. Males are notorious for aggressively defending their territories by biting and chasing other males away. Currently, the species is classified as “Least concern.”

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Iraq
2008
Presence Uncertain
Israel
2008
Jordan
2008
Lebanon
2008
Syria
2008
Turkey
2008

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No

Female

By Aviad Bar