The newt (stellio) gets its name from the shining spots like stars (stella) on its back. It is said to be the enemy of scorpions, and the sight of it paralyses them with fear.

Note: Both the newt and the salamander are called stellio, and sometimes they can only be distinguished by context.

If a newt is drowned in wine and the wine applied to a person's face, freckles will appear. An antidote for the poison of the newt can be made from ground scorpions.