SMOOTH NEWT 
Sborin n eee 
months before the young Newt is ready to crawl from its 
watery home. It then becomes a land-lubber for three 
years, but on reaching maturity during the fourth year, 
it returns to the water for some three months each year 
for the purpose of helping to carry on the destiny of 
its race. Earthworms, insects, molluscs, tadpoles, and 
various water creatures are devoured, and to observe a 
Newt seizing its food is an apt illustration of how an 
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S mooth N ew. 
Female &male. 
otherwise slow-moving animal can, if needs be, get a 
move-on when occasion demands. The Smooth Newt 
is so-called because of the clearness of its skin. It is 
brownish-grey above, with lines of black spots, which 
are also present on the crest of the male. The yellow 
colouring below is relieved with spots of black, the male 
being more distinctly ornamented than his mate. The 
male has a red edging on the tail, whereas that of the 
female is orange, and the former has a stripe of blue 
47 
