How to Spot a Fire Bellied Newt

There are two species of Fire Bellied Newts, the Japanese Fire Bellied Newt and the Chinese Fire Bellied Newt. While you can find these two species of newts for purchase in a pet store, you can also try to spot them in the wild.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Find a Fire Bellied Newt in Japan and China, as their names indicate. The Japanese Fire Bellied Newt, Cynops Pyrrhogaster, lives in Japan. The Chinese Fire Bellied Newt, Cynops Orientalis, lives in parts of China. Both species live near bodies of still water, such as ponds. They prefer areas of heavy vegetation and, while they spend some time on land, they do spend the majority of their time in the water.

2. Take note of the sizes of the two Fire Bellied Newt species. The Japanese Fire Bellied Newt is larger than the Chinese Fire Bellied Newt. The Japanese Fire Bellied Newt typically measures between 3.5 and 5 inches in length, although it can grow up to 6 inches long. The Chinese Fire Bellied Newt measures between 3 and 4 inches in length.

3. Observe the colorings of the Chinese Fire Bellied Newt and the Japanese Fire Bellied Newt. Both species have dark brown or brownish-black upperparts, including their back, legs and crown. The underparts of the Chinese Fire Bellied Newt have a bright orange color and the underparts of the Japanese Fire Bellied Newt are dark colored with red and orange spots or speckles.

4. Look at the texture of the skin of the species of Fire Bellied Newts.
   The skin of the Chinese Fire Bellied Newt has a smooth texture, while the skin of the Japanese Fire Bellied Newt has a rough and bumpy texture.

Tips & Warnings

• Fire Bellied Newts are also sometimes called Fire Belly Newts.
• Both species have large glands on the sides of their heads that excrete toxins.
• Fire Bellied Newts are poisonous. Take care when handling a Fire Bellied Newt and wash your hands thoroughly after handling.