Montseny brook newt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montseny brook newt |
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The Montseny brook newt (its Catalan name is tritó del Montseny; its scientific name is Calotriton arnoldi) is a special kind of salamander. It belongs to the family Salamandridae. This newt lives only in one small area. That area is the Montseny Massif in northeast Spain.
Before 2005, people thought this newt was the same as the larger Pyrenean brook salamander. But then, scientists studied it closely. They found it was a unique species and gave it its own name.
What Does the Montseny Brook Newt Look Like?
Male Montseny brook newts are about 56 to 59 millimeters long from their snout to their tail base. Females are a bit longer, about 57 to 59 millimeters. Their tails are usually 34 to 44 millimeters long. The biggest ones can grow up to 103 millimeters in total length.
Their back is a dark, chocolate-brown color. Their head is quite flat. Their body is oval-shaped when you look at it from the front. It also looks a bit flattened from top to bottom.
When you pick up a Montseny brook newt, it might release a special liquid. This liquid is whitish, sticky, and has a strong smell. It's probably a way for the newt to protect itself from animals that might try to eat it.
Where Does It Live and Why Is It in Danger?
The Montseny brook newt lives in very specific places. Its natural habitat is in rivers that are very clean and cold. The water temperature is usually below 15 degrees Celsius. These rivers also flow very fast. This newt seems to live only in the water.
Scientists believe there are fewer than 1,500 of these newts left. Their numbers have dropped by about 15% in the last 10 years. This is a big worry for their future.
Several things are threatening this species. Mountain streams where they live are drying out. Humans are also changing their natural home. Global warming is another big problem. Because of these threats, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Montseny brook newt as "critically endangered". This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
See also
In Spanish: Tritón del Montseny para niños
