Scientific Name: Triturus alpestris
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Caudata
Family: Salamandridae
Genus: Triturus
Physical Characteristics
During the mating season early in the year, the males exhibit blue colouring on their backs; their flanks are stippled black and white, and on the belly are marked with a blue stripe. The shallow crest is alternately spotted yellow and black. The females, in water camouflage, are mottle grey-brown-green and have some weak spotting on the back. The belly side of both sexes is bright orange to vermillion and always unmarked. The biggest of the males can reach up to nine centimeters in length, while females can grow up to twelve centimeters.
Habitat
Alpine newt typically inhabits forests with good access to water in hilly to mountainous regions.
Distribution
The alpine newt is constricted to Central Europe and mountainous Southern Europe as well as an isolated area on the Iberian Peninsula.
