 The skin lacks scales and is moist and smooth to the touch , except in newts of the Salamandridae , which may have velvety or warty skin , wet to the touch . The skin may be drab or brightly colored , exhibiting various patterns of stripes , bars , spots , blotches , or dots . Male newts become dramatically colored during the breeding season . Cave species dwelling in darkness lack pigmentation and have a translucent pink or pearlescent appearance . 
