noun
newt; Japanese fire belly newt
Specifically refers to the Japanese fire belly newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster), but can be used for newts in general.
池でイモリを見つけた。
I found a newt in the pond.
イモリは両生類です。
Newts are amphibians.
Obsolete kanji form; contains out-dated kanji.
ヤモリ (gecko) is a reptile, while イモリ (newt) is an amphibian. The kanji 守 (mori, 'protector') appears in both names, reflecting old beliefs about household guardians.
From 井 (i, 'well') + 守 (mori, 'protector'), from the old belief that newts guarded wells. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.