The main breeding season for newts (in the Northern Hemisphere) is in June and July.
After courtship rituals of varying complexity, which take place in ponds or slow-moving streams, the male newt transfers a spermatophore, which is taken up by the female.
Fertilized eggs are laid singly and are usually attached to aquatic plants.
This distinguishes them from the free-floating eggs of frogs or toads, which are laid in clumps or in strings.
Plant leaves are usually folded over and attached to the eggs to protect them.
The larvae, which resemble fish fry but are distinguished by their feathery external gills, hatch out in about three weeks.
After hatching, they eat algae, small invertebrates, or other amphibian larvae.

During the subsequent few months, the larvae undergo metamorphosis, during which they develop legs, and the gills are absorbed and replaced by air-breathing lungs.
Some species, such as the North American newts, also become more brightly colored during this phase.
Once fully metamorphosed, they leave the water and live a terrestrial life, when they are known as "efts."
Only when the eft reaches adulthood will the North American species return to live in water, rarely venturing back onto the land.
Conversely, most European species live their adult lives on land and only visit water to breed.
The main breeding season for newts (in the Northern Hemisphere) is in June and July. After courtship rituals of varying complexity, which take place in ponds or slow-moving streams, the male newt transfers a spermatophore, which is taken up by the female. Fertilized eggs are laid singly and are usually attached to aquatic plants. This distinguishes them from the free-floating eggs of frogs or toads, which are laid in clumps or in strings. Plant leaves are usually folded over and attached to the eggs to protect them. The larvae, which resemble fish fry but are distinguished by their feathery external gills, hatch out in about three weeks. After hatching, they eat algae, small invertebrates, or other amphibian larvae.
During the subsequent few months, the larvae undergo metamorphosis, during which they develop legs, and the gills are absorbed and replaced by air-breathing lungs. Some species, such as the North American newts, also become more brightly colored during this phase. Once fully metamorphosed, they leave the water and live a terrestrial life, when they are known as "efts." Only when the eft reaches adulthood will the North American species return to live in water, rarely venturing back onto the land. Conversely, most European species live their adult lives on land and only visit water to breed.
Newt