Newts are a subfamily of semiaquatic salamanders. While the term "newt" has historically referred to salamanders that live in the water, the term now refers specifically to the Pleurodelinae subfamily of the salamander lineage.

Adult newts live in humid, terrestrial habitats, returning each year to the water to breed. For reproduction, most species prefer stagnant bodies of water, including ponds and flooded meadows.

Like other salamanders, newts are capable of regenerating lost limbs and other damaged parts of their bodies. However, newt skin is rougher than that of other salamanders.

Note: tadpoles are the larval form of frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians. If the species of a tadpole is known, that species should be tagged in addition to the tadpole tag.