Striped Newt
Notophthalmus perstriatus
The Striped Newt is a state-threatened salamander of north and central Florida sandhills, scrub, pine flatwoods, and temporary breeding ponds.
The Striped Newt is a small native salamander with two narrow red or orange stripes running along the back. Its life cycle links dry upland habitat with fish-free seasonal ponds.
Some individuals pass through a land-dwelling juvenile stage, while others remain aquatic and retain larval features as breeding adults. Both strategies depend on healthy pond and upland connections.
Habitat:
Lakes and Ponds, Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills, Scrub and Dry Prairie, Forests and Woodlands
Area / Range:
Florida Panhandle, North Florida, Central Florida
Diet:
Eats small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, including insects, insect larvae, worms, crustaceans, and other tiny prey.
Behavior:
Breeds in temporary, fish-free ponds after suitable rainfall. Adults and juveniles move between breeding ponds and surrounding uplands, often at night or during wet weather.
Night, Dusk, Dawn
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Wet winter and spring nights near seasonal ponds in intact sandhill or scrub habitat
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
State-Threatened in Florida. Major threats include loss and fragmentation of sandhill habitat, altered fire cycles, road mortality, pond drainage, groundwater changes, and introduced predatory fish.
Safety Level:
Low Risk
Safety Information:
Harmless when left alone. Newts produce skin toxins, so do not handle them or allow pets to mouth them. Wash thoroughly after accidental contact.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes small invertebrates and contributes to both upland and pond food webs. Its presence signals a rare combination of healthy seasonal wetlands and connected native uplands.
Property Concerns:
It does not damage property. Filling seasonal ponds, adding fish, changing drainage, suppressing prescribed fire, or clearing surrounding uplands can destroy essential habitat.
Fun Fact:
Striped Newts can follow more than one life-history path. Some become terrestrial juveniles, while others mature in water and retain larval traits such as external gills.
Wildlife Laws:
The Striped Newt is protected as a State-Threatened species under Florida's Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. Capture, possession, sale, or intentional harm requires appropriate authorization.
Identification:
Adults are usually olive, brown, or dark green with two distinct red-orange stripes along the back. Unlike the Eastern Newt, the stripes and spots generally lack bold black borders.
Terrestrial juveniles are brighter orange or reddish. Aquatic forms may retain external gills and a finned tail.