Semiaquatic amphibian

NEWT

["This small, slender creature is often mistaken for a lizard but has smooth, moist skin and spends its early life in water before transitioning to land. Look for a four-letter name that starts with \"N.\""]

"Semiaquatic amphibian" points to a small, lizard-like creature that splits its time between water and land. The answer is "NEWT," a type of salamander often found in ponds or damp forests. Unlike frogs or toads, newts have smooth skin and a distinct tail, which fits the clue’s focus on amphibians that aren’t fully aquatic.