Emperor newt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Emperor newt |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Tylototriton
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| Species: |
shanjing
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The emperor newt (also called the Mandarin newt or Mandarin salamander) is a special kind of newt. Its scientific name is Tylototriton shanjing. These newts are known for being quite poisonous! They live in Yunnan and other parts of South China. Sometimes, people keep them as pets, but it's important to know how to care for them safely.
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What Does the Emperor Newt Look Like?
Emperor newts can grow to about 8 inches (20 cm) long. They have a bright orange head with a dark, almost black body. A single orange line runs down their back all the way to their tail.
Along each side of their body, there's a row of round, orange bumps. These bumps are actually where their poison is stored! Their tail and legs are also orange. The exact shade of orange can change depending on where the newt lives or what it eats.
How Do Emperor Newts Defend Themselves?
Emperor newts move slowly, which might make them seem like easy prey. But their bright orange color is a big warning sign! In nature, bright colors often tell predators that an animal is poisonous or dangerous to eat. This warning system is common in many animals, like amphibians, reptiles, and even some plants and fungi.
The orange bumps on the newt's back are its poison glands. If an emperor newt is grabbed, it can squeeze out poison from these glands. This poison is very strong; a small amount could harm many mice. Because of this, most larger animals avoid eating the emperor newt.
Emperor newts are also mostly active at night, which makes them harder to find. If an animal tries to bite one, the newt's skull and backbone are extra thick and strong.
Handling Emperor Newts Safely
Even though they are poisonous if eaten, emperor newts are generally safe for humans to handle if done carefully. It's best to hold them gently and only when necessary.
If you ever need to handle an emperor newt, it's a good idea to wear gloves, like latex or nitrile gloves. Always wash your hands very well with soap and water before and after touching any amphibian, even if you wore gloves. This is important for your health and for the newt's health, as amphibians have skin that can easily absorb things from your hands.
Where Do Emperor Newts Live?
Emperor newts live in central, western, and southern Yunnan, China. They are found in mountains, usually between 1,000 and 2,500 meters (about 3,300 to 8,200 feet) above sea level.
They like to live in subtropical forests. You can find them in pools of water and slow-moving streams.
What Do Emperor Newts Eat?
In the wild, emperor newts usually eat small invertebrates. These are creatures without backbones, like crickets and worms.
If emperor newts are kept as pets, they are often fed wax worms, crickets, and earthworms.
How Were Emperor Newts Classified?
For a long time, emperor newts were thought to be the same species as the Himalayan newt (T. verrucosus). But scientists later found that they are different species.
Images for kids
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An emperor newt showing its bright colors.
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An emperor newt in its natural habitat in Yunnan, China.
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A close-up view of an emperor newt.
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See also
In Spanish: Tylototriton shanjing para niños
