| Range: |
Spain, Portugal, Morocco |
| Habitat: |
Ponds, lakes, ditches, slow streams |
| Conservation Status: |
Near threatened |
| Scientific Name: |
Pleurodeles waltl |
This large, stocky salamander lives on the bottom of ponds, lakes and slow-moving streams. It rarely comes out on land. In fact, if its water dries up, the newt usually tries to bury itself in the mud until rains refill its pond. The Iberian ribbed newt has sharply pointed ribs that are thought to help protect the animal against predators. The ends of its ribs can sometimes be seen protruding through its skin! The newt is a strong swimmer and a greedy predator. It will consume any moving prey it finds, including aquatic insects and other invertebrates, small fish, and other amphibians.
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