Newt vs. Lizard — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 30, 2024
Newts are amphibians with moist, smooth skin and a love for aquatic environments, while lizards are reptiles with dry, scaly skin, thriving in diverse habitats.
Difference Between Newt and Lizard
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Newts are part of the Salamandridae family, known for their semi-aquatic lifestyle and smooth, glandular skin that often secretes substances as a defense mechanism. On the other hand, lizards belong to the Squamata order, distinguished by their dry, scaly skin, which aids in water retention and offers protection against predators.
Newts have a unique life cycle that includes aquatic larval, with some species also having a terrestrial juvenile phase. This adaptability allows them to exploit different ecological niches throughout their lives. Whereas lizards are generally terrestrial or arboreal, with some species adapted to desert or humid tropical environments, showcasing a wide range of habitats.
Regarding reproduction, many newt species lay their eggs in water, where the larvae develop into elders, featuring external gills in their larval stage. Lizards, however, lay eggs or bear live young on land, and their offspring are typically miniature versions of the elders, ready to fend for themselves soon after birth.
Newts are known for their ability to regenerate lost body parts, such as limbs, tails, and even parts of the heart, a trait that fascinates scientists. Lizards also possess regenerative capabilities, notably in tail regeneration, but their ability is generally more limited compared to newts.
Dietary habits of newts primarily include small aquatic invertebrates, with their diet changing as they progress through different life stages. Lizards, however, have a more varied diet that can include insects, other small animals, and sometimes plant matter, reflecting their adaptability to diverse environments.
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Comparison Chart
Classification
Amphibian
Reptile
Skin Texture
Moist, smooth
Dry, scaly
Habitat
Aquatic and damp terrestrial environments
Diverse, including terrestrial, arboreal, and desert
Reproduction
Eggs laid in water; larval stage with external gills
Eggs laid on land or live birth; young resemble adults
Regeneration
Can regenerate limbs, tails, and parts of the heart
Limited to mostly tail regeneration
Compare with Definitions
Newt
A small, slender amphibian that thrives in wet environments.
The spotted newt we found by the pond was beautifully marked.
Lizard
Exhibits diverse reproductive strategies, including egg-laying and live birth.
Unlike many reptiles, the blue-tongued skink gives birth to live young.
Newt
Can regenerate lost body parts, showcasing remarkable biological processes.
After losing its tail, the newt regrew it within a few weeks.
Lizard
A widespread group of reptiles with scaly skin and often colorful markings.
The gecko is a type of lizard known for its vocalizations.
Newt
Undergoes a complex life cycle including aquatic and terrestrial phases.
The newt transitions from a larval state in water to a terrestrial adult.
Lizard
Diet ranges from insects to small mammals and plant matter.
The iguana primarily feeds on leaves, making it a herbivorous lizard.
Newt
Known for their smooth, moist skin and aquatic lifestyle.
Newts often have vibrant colors to ward off predators.
Lizard
Thrives in varied environments, from deserts to forests.
Some lizards have adapted to live in arid conditions, finding shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Newt
Predominantly feeds on small invertebrates, adapting to their environment.
The newt's diet consists mostly of tadpoles and tiny aquatic insects.
Lizard
Capable of tail regeneration, a defense mechanism against predators.
When threatened, the lizard can detach its tail to escape.
Newt
A newt is a salamander in the subfamily Pleurodelinae. The terrestrial juvenile phase is called an eft.
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with over 6,000 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica, as well as most oceanic island chains. The group is paraphyletic as it excludes the snakes and Amphisbaenia; some lizards are more closely related to these two excluded groups than they are to other lizards.
Newt
Any of several small, often brightly colored, aquatic or semiaquatic salamanders of the family Salamandridae of North America and Eurasia that typically breed in water but spend part of their lives on land.
Lizard
Any of numerous squamate reptiles often classified in the suborder Lacertilia, characteristically having a scaly elongated body with a tapering tail, four legs, movable eyelids, and external ear openings.
Newt
Any one of several species of small aquatic salamanders. The common British species are the crested newt (Triton cristatus) and the smooth newt (Lophinus punctatus). In America, Diemictylus viridescens is one of the most abundant species.
Lizard
Leather made from the skin of one of these reptiles.
Newt
Small usually bright-colored semiaquatic salamanders of North America and Europe and northern Asia
Lizard
Any reptile of the order Squamata that is not a snake or an amphisbaenian, usually having four legs, external ear openings, movable eyelids and a long slender body and tail.
Lizard
Lizard skin, the skin of these reptiles.
Lizard
(colloquial) An unctuous person.
Lizard
(colloquial) A coward.
Lizard
(rock paper scissors) A hand forming a "D" shape with the tips of the thumb and index finger touching (a handshape resembling a lizard), that beats paper and Spock and loses to rock and scissors in rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock.
Lizard
(in compounds) A person who idly spends time in a specified place, especially a promiscuous female.
Lounge lizard; lot lizard; beach lizard; truck stop lizard
Lizard
Any one of the numerous species of reptiles belonging to the order Lacertilia; sometimes, also applied to reptiles of other orders, as the Hatteria.
Lizard
A piece of rope with thimble or block spliced into one or both of the ends.
Lizard
A piece of timber with a forked end, used in dragging a heavy stone, a log, or the like, from a field.
Lizard
Relatively long-bodied reptile with usually two pairs of legs and a tapering tail
Lizard
A man who idles about in the lounges of hotels and bars in search of women who would support him
Common Curiosities
How do newts and lizards reproduce?
Newts lay their eggs in water, while lizards may lay eggs or bear live young on land.
Can both newts and lizards regenerate lost body parts?
Yes, both can regenerate parts like tails, but newts have more extensive regenerative abilities.
What do newts eat?
Newts mainly eat small aquatic invertebrates.
Where do newts and lizards live?
Newts live in aquatic or damp environments, whereas lizards inhabit diverse habitats, including deserts and forests.
Can lizards live in cold climates?
Some lizard species are adapted to cooler climates, but they generally prefer warmer environments.
What distinguishes a newt from a lizard?
Newts are amphibians with moist skin, while lizards are reptiles with scaly skin.
Are all newts able to live both in water and on land?
Most newts have life stages that include both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Do newts have predators?
Yes, newts have natural predators, including birds and larger aquatic animals, but their skin can secrete toxins as a defense.
Are newts social creatures?
Newts are generally not social, except during breeding season.
What is the lifespan of a lizard?
Lizard lifespans vary greatly among species, ranging from a few years to over a decade in captivity.
What do lizards eat?
Lizards have a varied diet that can include insects, small animals, and sometimes plants.
How do lizards adapt to their environment?
Lizards adapt through physical traits like skin texture and color, and behaviorally, by choosing suitable microhabitats.
How do newts communicate?
Newts use a combination of chemical signals and body language to communicate, especially during mating seasons.
Are newts endangered?
Some newt species are considered endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and disease.
Do lizards need to drink water?
Yes, lizards need to drink water, but their method of hydration can vary widely among species.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
