Triturus ophzticus Berthold, 1846Triturus vittatusMolge vittata The southern banded newt (Ommatotriton vittatus) is a species of salamander in the family Salamandridae found in Armenia (Lori Province of northern Armenia), Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey.

[3] The natural habitat of the species is water bodies of various types in temperate forests and grasslands, including rivers, ponds, and canals, and extending to water in caves, arable land and rural gardens.

When temperatures fall below 3.9 °C, they will go into hibernation and aestivating in dry, hot weather.

[2] Also during this season, O. vittatus males develop large crests on their back and more vivid colors to attract the females along with using visual displays and movements with their tails and crests.

[3] Fertilization is internal but non-copulatory and the female will often accept multiple spermatophores (from different males).