Kingdom Animalia Order Urodela Genus Echinotriton Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Family Salamandridae Scientific name Echinotriton andersoni Higher classification Echinotriton | |
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Similar Echinotriton, Amphibians, Salamander, Tylototriton, Sword‑tail newt | ||
Anderson's crocodile newt, Anderson's newt, Ryukyu spiny newt, or Japanese warty newt (Echinotriton andersoni) is a species of salamander in the Salamandridae family found in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and, at least formerly, Guanyinshan (=Mount Guanyin) in northern Taiwan, where it is now believed to be extinct.
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Description
Echinotriton andersoni is a stout, flat salamander. Head is broad and triangular in shape. There are 12–15 conspicuous knob-like lateral glands. Colouration is uniformly dark brown or black, only the underside of the tail, cloacal region, and the soles of the feet are yellow-orange. The maximum size is at least 80 mm (3.1 in) in snout–vent length and 169 mm (6.7 in) in total length.
Habitat and conservation
Its natural habitats are broad-leaved evergreen forests, secondary forests, grasslands and swamps. It has also been found in and near sugar cane fields. It breeds in standing water such as ponds and temporary pools; outside breeding season it is difficult to observe as adult salamanders live in leaf litter, in rocky crevices, and under rocks and logs.
Echinotriton andersoni is uncommon, and it is threatened by habitat loss and by collection for illegal pet trade.
