newt

Everyday

A newt is a small amphibian with a long tail, four short legs and damp skin that lives partly in water and partly on land. tree →

In the lessons

In science, newts are amphibians like frogs and toads: they lay eggs in ponds, and the young (efts or tadpoles) breathe with gills before living on land. Some newts, like the great crested newt, are protected by law. Newts can regrow lost limbs and tails.

Examples

• We saw a newt in the school pond. tree →
• A newt is an amphibian, like a frog. tree →
• The great crested newt is protected. tree →
• Newts lay their eggs on pond weeds. tree →
• A newt can grow a new tail if it loses one. tree →
• The newt hid under a damp log. tree →
• There it sat, stroking itself with its feet and stretching its wings, and Harry said: "Why, it's a tiny newt!" tree →

Note

Countable. Newts are not lizards: lizards are reptiles with dry, scaly skin; newts are amphibians with damp skin. Wash your hands after touching one; some newts have poisonous skin.