Blue-gray Fire-bellied Newt
Cynops glaucus
The Blue-gray Fire-bellied Newt is a small aquatic salamander characterized by its distinctive blue-gray dorsal coloration and vibrant orange-red ventral surface that serves as a warning display to predators. This semi-aquatic amphibian plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as both predator of aquatic invertebrates and prey for larger vertebrates, helping maintain the delicate balance of freshwater food webs.
Photo: iNaturalist: 版权所有 (c) MakoPisces (Adrian Ng)，保留所有权利, 由 MakoPisces (Adrian Ng) 上传
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Amphibia
Order
Caudata
Family
Salamandridae
Genus
Cynops
Blue-gray Fire-bellied Newt belongs to the family Salamandridae, order Caudata, within the Amphibia class.
Species Profile
The Blue-gray Fire-bellied Newt is a small aquatic salamander characterized by its distinctive blue-gray dorsal coloration and vibrant orange-red ventral surface that serves as a warning display to predators. This semi-aquatic amphibian plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as both predator of aquatic invertebrates and prey for larger vertebrates, helping maintain the delicate balance of freshwater food webs.
The Blue-gray Fire-bellied Newt faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction and degradation in its limited range in China. Agricultural expansion, urbanization, and water pollution have significantly reduced suitable breeding habitats, while collection for the pet trade has further pressured remaining populations.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Blue-gray Fire-bellied Newts inhabit shallow, slow-moving streams and seasonal ponds surrounded by dense riparian vegetation in temperate montane regions. They require clean, well-oxygenated water with abundant aquatic plants and nearby terrestrial refugia under logs and leaf litter for overwintering.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Blue-gray Fire-bellied Newt faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction and degradation in its limited range in China. Agricultural expansion, urbanization, and water pollution have significantly reduced suitable breeding habitats, while collection for the pet trade has further pressured remaining populations.
Agricultural expansion
Habitat loss and degradation
Water pollution
Collection for pet trade
Urbanization
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Blue-gray Fire-bellied Newt (Cynops glaucus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/blue-gray-fire-bellied-newt