A small newt restricted to a tiny range in northern Florida and southern Georgia. Federally listed as endangered due to habitat loss and pond destruction.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The striped newt is a species of aquatic salamander native to the southeastern United States. It is a close relative of the eastern newt, with which it shares territory, and can be distinguished from the latter by the presence of red stripes running down the sides of its back and red spots on its back that lack a black outline.
Source: Wikipedia — Striped newt Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Slim olive-brown newt with cream-yellow stripes along sides and back; aposematic warning coloration.
Similar species. Eastern Newt (no stripes). Black-bellied Salamander (different shape).
Voice. Silent.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Small aquatic invertebrates, fish eggs.
Behavior. Federally endangered (listed 2024). Restricted to longleaf pine flatwoods and seepage ponds in FL, GA, AL. Habitat threats include altered fire regimes and water management.
§ Range
Florida, southern Georgia
§ Habitat
Sandhills, longleaf pine flatwoods, ephemeral wetlands
§ Threats
Habitat loss, pond destruction, fire suppression.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the striped newt is currently classified as Endangered.
§ What helps
Support longleaf pine restoration. Maintain ephemeral ponds. Donate to Florida Wildlife Federation.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Striped newt
- www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Notophthalmus perstriatus
- IUCN Red List · taxon 59454
- iNaturalist · taxon 27567
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Notophthalmus perstriatus
§ Sources cited
- USFWS Striped Newt Recovery
- Florida FWC
- The Orianne Society
- IUCN Red List 2014
