Southern banded newt

The Southern Banded Newt is a type of salamander belonging to the family Salamandridae. This species is found in Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. They thrive in a variety of environments, including temperate forests, grasslands, rivers, lakes, marshes, caves, farmlands, gardens, urban areas, ponds, aquaculture ponds, and canals. Unfortunately, these newts face threats primarily due to habitat destruction.

If you are considering keeping a Southern Banded Newt as a pet, be aware that they are not commonly found in the pet trade. Should you obtain one, you will need to set up a dry terrarium with a small water dish for the summer and autumn months. During November and December, a larger water area is required for breeding. Ideally, keep six to eight newts in a 20-gallon tank, but only one male, as males can be quite territorial. The water section should have a bare bottom or sand to prevent impaction and be filled with plenty of aquatic plants. These newts prefer room temperature in the summer and cooler temperatures around 10-15°C in the winter. Their diet should consist of earthworms, bloodworms, crickets, white worms, and waxworms for balanced nutrition.

It is important not to confuse the Southern Banded Newt with the Northern Banded Newt (Ommatotriton ophryticus). The Northern Banded Newt was once considered a subspecies of O. vittatus, but they are now recognized as distinct species.