Newts and European Salamanders: Salamandridae

Newts and European salamanders live in damp places close to ponds and streams, where breeding takes place. In the landdwelling phase, newts and European salamanders need damp conditions and live in dense plant cover or in crack in rocks and under logs, where conditions stay moist at the drier times of year. Because the larvae live in water, all newts and European salamanders need water for reproduction. Many of these animals breed in ponds, but some breed in larger lakes and others in mountain streams. Many newts and European salamanders do well in ponds that dry up during the summer, because these ponds cannot support fish, dragonfly larvae, and other water-dwelling animals that prey on newt and salamander larvae.