Kaiser's Spotted NewtNeurergus kaiseri
Quick facts
- Rarity
- Rare
- Active during
- Night
- Found in
- Pollywog Cove
- Length
- 5 in
- Wingspan
- 2 in
From the field notes
Diet
Despite their vibrant colors, they are effective predators in their small domain. They patrol the rocky stream beds at night, vacuuming up aquatic insects, snails, and small worms.
Defense
These newts secrete toxins that make them poisonous to those that eat them. Their beautiful black, white, and orange pattern acts as a bright warning sign to hungry birds and mammals.
Survival
These moisture-loving amphibians survive in the desert by relying on fragile streams and temporary pools. When the water dries up in the summer, they burrow underground and sleep for months in a summer hibernation called estivation.
Courting Dance
To win over a mate, the male performs an elegant underwater dance, arching his back and frantically fanning his tail to waft special chemical perfumes (pheromones) directly at the female.
Price of Beauty
Because they are considered one of the most beautiful amphibians, they were heavily poached for the illegal pet trade, pushing them to the brink of extinction. Strict international laws prohibiting their sale have helped them bounce back.