Sword-tailed Newt
Cynops ensicauda
- Class
- Amphibian
- Rarity
- Rare
- Observations
- 643
- Most observed in
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- Conservation
- Vulnerable
Description
The sword-tailed newt, yellow-bellied newt, or Okinawa newt (Cynops ensicauda) is a species of true salamander from the Ryukyu Archipelago in Japan. It has recently been placed on Japan's Red List of Threatened Amphibians. Sword-tail newts are poisonous, and may also be referred to as fire-bellied newts due to the orange coloration of their underside. They are not to be confused with the common Chinese and Japanese species. It is distinguished from these two species by their larger size, broader heads and smoother skin. Its coloration ranges from brown to black, occasionally with an orange dorsal stripe. Some individuals may have light spotting or speckling on their backs. Sword-tailed newts can reach 12.8 cm (5.0 in) in males and 18 cm (7.1 in) in females. They are the largest living members of their genus. They exhibit sexual dimorphism. Females' tails are longer than the rest of their body; those of males are much shorter, and sometimes display a whitish sheen during breeding season.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Sword-tail newt”.