A black and orange newt crawls on a sandy surface inside an aquarium, surrounded by rocks and greenery.

Laos Warty Newt

Paignton Zoo cares for four Laos warty newts, which are housed in Amphibian Ark.

Laos Warty NewtLaotriton laoensis

  • Class:

    Amphibia

  • Order:

    Caudata

  • Family:

    Salamandridae

About the Laos warty newt

The Laos warty newt is a rare and distinctive amphibian with textured, warty skin and earthy brown colouring that helps it blend into forest streams. Growing to around 8–10 centimetres, it inhabits cool, shaded pools in mountainous regions.

Mostly solitary outside the breeding season, this species feeds on small invertebrates found in and around water. Its limited range makes it especially vulnerable to environmental change.

Conservation

Endemic to Laos, within a restricted mountainous region, the species is listed as Endangered, threatened by habitat degradation and illegal collection.