This newt reaches 7-8 inches , with a small tongue partially free on the sides and two oblique rows of palatal teeth. It has a thick skull arch, five toes, a flattened tail for swimming, rough skin, and prominent bony ridges with pores. Its body is 3-3.5 times the head length, uniformly blackish-brown with orange-yellow tail edges. During breeding, males display distinct courtship behaviors. The newt feeds on spiders, worms, millipedes, scorpions, mollusks, and various insects.