What is the difference between a salamander and a newt?
A newt is actually a salamander belonging to the family Salamandridae. The reason why newts are most often thought of as being different from other salamanders is that they have three distinct life stages. Similar to many salamanders, newts begin their development in the water. However, next they metamorphose into a reproductively immature terrestrial form called an “eft.” Finally, they return to the water where they regain a tail fin and reach full sexual maturity.
