The Little Asian Triton: the Amphibian's Image, Lifetime, Habitat, Interesting Facts

It is not known for sure about the existence of dragons, however, in Japan and China, these mystical creatures still continue to believe, building huge arches in houses to meet them with honors and be prepared fully when mysterious creatures deign to fly to our Earth. One of the representatives of dragons existing in nature is the Little Asian Triton. This is not accidental, because the amphibian has a crest and a long tail. Many compare them to dragons, counting a reduced copy of the giants, albeit with a lack of wings. The ancient Greeks gave tritons the divine power, also classifying them as mystical beings. In myths, amphibians were depicted as a half-fish-half-man, who was able to control the depths of the sea, pacify waves and, on the contrary, cause a storm.

The best habitat and the history of the appearance of the species

The Little Asian Triton is classified as a detachment of amphibians that live in moisture in slowly flowing water bodies, often shallow and not very warm. This species of newts is considered to be a rare species of omatotrites, which are the closest relatives of the Asiatic species of amphibians. These newts are representatives of the true salamander family. The preferred temperature of the water in which the amphibian spends most of its long life is about 20 degrees Celsius, and the best habitat where their colonies settle is dense thickets and impenetrable forests. Going out on land, hiding in dense grass, fallen trees or among stones, because he prefers a secluded way of life, and can easily become the prey of larger brethren. A distinctive feature of the Asia Minor Triton among other species is the presence on the back of the crest with a height of 4 to 5 cm. It was this crest that amateurs and admirers of dragons attributed to the elements the similarities between amphibians and flying giants.

In which countries and areas can you meet a bright representative of the salamander family?

If you answer the question about the locations in which this unusual amphibian can be found, then warm countries like Turkey and Jordan should be mentioned, because there the best living conditions for the Asia Minor are. However, a representative of the salamander family can also be seen in Russia: in the Krasnodar Territory, the Caucasus, Stavropol, Adygea, Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. By the way, the Little Asian Triton of the Krasnodar Territory is not as bright in color as its relatives, who live in hot Israel. Most likely, this is due to the fact that in the southern regions the newt does not hide for wintering, and in the more northern regions it goes into hibernation in the winter period, which lasts up to 6 months a year. In the warmth amphibians remain active throughout the year. In our latitudes the cycle of his life is slightly different: wintering the newt comes to the dry land in October. Hides in the bark of trees or in animal burrows until March or until mid-May, depending on the onset of warming.

How does an amphibian look like with a crest on its back?

The Little Asian Triton, the photo of which is shown above, is a small amphibian, reaching a length of only 12-14 cm along with the tail. Very rarely, males of this species can grow to 17 cm, but this is more an exception than a rule. After only three days from the birth of the Little Asian Triton can already swim, and by the end of the first week of life - independently eat. Like many species of animals and insects that exist in nature, males of newts have a brighter coloration than females, being bright representatives of the species. Body color is usually dark olive in brown speckles, and the tail on both sides is decorated with a symmetrical silvery strip. In females, such a strip is weakly expressed. The color of the newt's belly is yellow, sometimes orange, less often red. Some males have black spots on the belly, females do not have such features. Young growth is characterized by a pale color and a small amount of brown speckles on the body. In general, the color of the newt can be judged on his age and sex.

Life cycle

Amphibians multiply in water, but they spend a lot of time on land. Female females of Asia Minor can live about 21 years, but males are not long-lived. Their life expectancy is only 12 years, and this is almost two times less than in individuals of the opposite sex.

What is a newt eating in water and how does it produce food on land?

The diet of the Asian Triton is quite varied. In the water, he eats shellfish, larvae, tadpoles, various aquatic insects and even eats small relatives. On land for catching prey uses language, with which it extracts lice, worms, spiders.

The Little Asian Triton: Interesting Facts

One of the most interesting facts concerning newts is the process of their reproduction. If the crest of the male is fully spread - this means that he is ready for the marriage games and reports this to the female. Mating, as such, does not occur, there is a ritual that resembles a dance, after which the male leaves his spermatophore on the ground. The female picks it up, sitting down with a cloak. This is how fertilization takes place. After 2 weeks, less often a month, larvae up to 12 mm appear.

Another no less significant fact is the introduction of amphibians into the Red Book. Malo-Asian tritons, more precisely their numbers, have significantly decreased under the influence and environmental impact of the products of human life and as a result of its negligent attitude towards nature as a whole. Pollution of water reservoirs and the desire of people to have an unusual pet in the house in the form of a newt with a crest made scientists and ecologists consider this species of amphibians rare. It is worth thinking about this and trying to enjoy the beauty from a distance.