Salamandridae – Newts & true salamanders

All newts are salamanders, but not vice versa: newts spend more of their adult lives in the water

Salamandrid salamanders are found predominantly in Europe and Asia, with the most extensive geographic spread of any salamander family.

The “real salamanders” have smooth skin, whereas newts have rough skin that is not slimy, unlike all other salamanders. The majority of adult salamandrids are small and colorful. Before courtship, all salamandrids perform courtship displays in which the male surrounds the female. True salamanders reside in moist forests and subalpine meadows, emerging only from burrows under logs or stones on mild, damp evenings. Some species return to the same watery breeding location year after year.