Alpine Newt
Ichthyosaura alpestris
(synonyms: Triturus alpestris, Mesotriton alpestris)
(synonyms: Triturus alpestris, Mesotriton alpestris)
Where is it found?
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Ponds, pools and lakes, meadows, pasture and forests.
Diet and foraging method
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Actively hunt their prey in the water and on land.
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Key adaptations
In the breeding season, males are colourful to attract females, with dark blue backs and white and black spotted flanks. The females are mottled brown and camouflaged in the water.
Social organisation and mating system
Polyandry
Did you know that...?
Alpine newts can live as long as 20 years!
Taxonomy
Picture credits:
Maps from: http://species.mol.org/species/
"MesotritonAlpestrisAdultLandPhase" by Piet Spaans - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MesotritonAlpestrisAdultLandPhase.JPG#/media/File:MesotritonAlpestrisAdultLandPhase.JPG
"Ichthyosaura alpestris Bergmolch" by H. Krisp - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ichthyosaura_alpestris_Bergmolch.jpg#/media/File:Ichthyosaura_alpestris_Bergmolch.jpg
"Triturus alpestris ovum" by I, Anevrisme. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triturus_alpestris_ovum.jpg#/media/File:Triturus_alpestris_ovum.jpg
"MesotritonAlpestrisLarva1" by Piet Spaans - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MesotritonAlpestrisLarva1.JPG#/media/File:MesotritonAlpestrisLarva1.JPG
"Smooth Newt larva (aka)" by André Karwath aka Aka - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smooth_Newt_larva_(aka).jpg#/media/File:Smooth_Newt_larva_(aka).jpg
"Triturus alpestris 2" by I, Anevrisme. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triturus_alpestris_2.jpg#/media/File:Triturus_alpestris_2.jpg
"MesotritonAlpestrisAdultLandPhase" by Piet Spaans - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MesotritonAlpestrisAdultLandPhase.JPG#/media/File:MesotritonAlpestrisAdultLandPhase.JPG
"Ichthyosaura alpestris Bergmolch" by H. Krisp - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ichthyosaura_alpestris_Bergmolch.jpg#/media/File:Ichthyosaura_alpestris_Bergmolch.jpg
"Triturus alpestris ovum" by I, Anevrisme. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triturus_alpestris_ovum.jpg#/media/File:Triturus_alpestris_ovum.jpg
"MesotritonAlpestrisLarva1" by Piet Spaans - Own work. Licensed under CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MesotritonAlpestrisLarva1.JPG#/media/File:MesotritonAlpestrisLarva1.JPG
"Smooth Newt larva (aka)" by André Karwath aka Aka - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smooth_Newt_larva_(aka).jpg#/media/File:Smooth_Newt_larva_(aka).jpg
"Triturus alpestris 2" by I, Anevrisme. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Triturus_alpestris_2.jpg#/media/File:Triturus_alpestris_2.jpg
