The species was named Ziegler's crocodile newt by researchers

Mar 20, 2013 08:37 GMT  ·  By

The latest edition of the scientific journal Current Herpetology has witnessed the publication of a study describing a new species of crocodile newt discovered in Vietnam.

This new species is to be referred to as Ziegler's crocodile newt, researchers explain. As noticeable in the picture above, this species of crocodile newt has a coal-black body and orange-tinted toes.

According to Mongabay, males can grow to measure roughly 5.4 to 6.8 centimeters (2 to 2.6 inches) in length, whereas females are about 7.1 centimeters (2.7 inches) long.

“Currently, habitat loss and degradation, especially around the breeding ponds, is a major threat to the populations of the new species.”

“Legal protection of their habitats and regulation of excessive commercial collection are important measures for conservation of this species,” the researchers who pinned down this new species wished to emphasize.