{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "smooth-newt",
  "name": "Smooth Newt",
  "scientificName": "Lissotriton vulgaris",
  "category": "Amphibian",
  "summary": "The smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) is Europe's most widespread newt, breeding in ponds and ditches from the UK across the continent into western Asia. Adults are carnivorous on invertebrates, return to water each spring, and are listed Least Concern — still common in many UK gardens.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Amphibia",
    "order": "Urodela",
    "family": "Salamandridae",
    "genus": "Lissotriton"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.003,
    "lengthM": 0.1,
    "topSpeedKmh": 1,
    "lifespanYears": 6
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Lissotriton vulgaris"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore (invertebrates)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Ponds, ditches, and damp meadows"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Around 6 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "About 0.003 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to roughly 1 km/h when moving at speed."
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Ponds and damp grassland across Europe into western Asia; common in UK gardens.",
    "continents": [
      "Europe",
      "Asia"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/smooth-newt/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/smooth-newt/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}