5 Interesting Facts About Anatolian Newts

Here is an Anatolian newt showing off its cool markings

Today I want to write about a really cool looking amphibian that is found in Turkey, the Anatolian newt.

Here are five interesting facts about them:

1. Also known as Strauch’s spotted newts, these large newts grow up to 18 cm long.
2. Anatolian newts have beautiful markings, with bright yellows spots on their black coat.  During the breeding season, the side of the males’ tails turn silver and they use them to display to the females.
3. Like other members of the newt family, their skin can produce a toxic substance to protect them.
4. The females lay between 10-20 eggs under stones or in crevices in fast-flowing streams.
5. Anatolian newts are found in mountain streams in the eastern Anatolian region of Turkey.  They are considered vulnerable to extinction due to damage to their habitat.

I hope that you found these facts interesting and learned something new.

Are there any other interesting facts that you would like to share about Anatolian newts?