Notophthalmus perstriatus Range
Striped Newts occur in the southeastern coastal plain, only in Georgia and Florida wetlands. Declines
The Striped Newts are one of Georgia's rarest amphibian species, with just one known population remaining in the state. We need to save this beautiful species before it is too late! Habitat
Striped Newts are temporary wetland breeding amphibians, and breed in fish-less wetlands that dry out periodically throughout the year. The are Long Leaf Pine ecosystem endemics. This Long Leaf Pine ecosystem has been reduced to 3% of it's original range in the southeastern coastal plain. Threats
Major threats include loss of habitat and fire suppression. Striped Newts need open canopy ponds with wiregrass and this habitat disappears when naturally occurring wild fires are suppressed. Recovery Plan
In 2017, the Amphibian Foundation joined the Striped Newt Repatriation Project. This collaborative effort, led by Ryan Means of Remote Footprints and the Coastal Plains Institute, is focused on the release and ongoing-monitoring of captive-propagated Striped Newts into protected and managed habitat in the southeastern coastal plain. There are only three remaining populations of Striped Newts, and we joined zoos in Detroit, Jacksonville, Memphis, Central Florida, and Lowry Park to maintain and breed these newts in captivity. Foundation staff partnered with GA DNR and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to collect wild Striped Newt larvae from Fall Line Sandhills Wildlife Management Area in middle Georgia. Within a year of joining the program, we have produced healthy Striped Newt offspring. This first generation of captive-bred larvae have joined the Flatwoods Salamanders in Metamorphosis Meadow, and will soon be released into the wild. Update!
In our first year as a partner on this project, the Amphibian Foundation produced over 120 young Striped Newts! A portion of these have already been released, with our conservation partners, into protected habit in the Florida panhandle. The rest are growing in our Amphibian Conservation and Research Center for later release.
Learn More About Native Amphibian Conservation