Newt id please

[CloudedYellow]

I assumed this was a Smooth Newt when I had the good fortune to spot it.

A friend has pointed out that the skin is warty and thinks it is GCN.



Id advice/pointers would be appreciated please.

Thank you

Richard

[marvin]

looks like a male smooth newt to me.

tim

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by marvin

looks like a male smooth newt to me.

tim

I agree, male Smooth Newt.
I think a GCN is one of the things where if you see one you will know! Obviously warty, big and bulky, with a large rounded head whereas the other two newts are smaller with smooth skin and more narrow, pointed heads.
Guy

[CloudedYellow]

My thanks to you both. To confuse me though I have received a reply from another friend who says definitely a GCN.

Does this image help either way?



Thanks again

Richard
Attenborough Alive's Photo Galleries at pbase.com

[marvin]

hi rich

as guy has pointed out, if you saw the two together you would see clearly that the a gcn was significantly more bulky and generally more robust looking, with much more obvious warts. it would also have more obvious white spots around the side of the head and throat, would have a more prominant golden eye ring and the underside would be a more intense colour. another clue from the first pic (at least i think this is the case although it may only apply to males who are fully crested up for breeding) is that a gcn would have a definite break between the dorsal crest and the tail whereas if you look at the smooth newt in your pic, the remains of the crest run uninterupted along the back and tail.

hope this helps.

tim

[yellowhammer]

Definitely not a Crested. As previous replies have said, GCNs are much wartier in the terrestrial stage, and the old saw holds true, "You'll know it when you see it." Rubbish photos of terrestrial GCNs;





Juvenile;

[CloudedYellow]

My thanks to all of you.

Richard

[Dan Salter]

Hi Clouded

Try and catch the repeat of Nature of Britain users guide with Chris Packham on bbc4 on Sunday night...around 6 or 8 i think?...as I seem to remember he handles and shows a male GCN on last weeks show on Wednesday.

but I agree with everyone else...having loved newts since I was a kid and been on a gcn survey with the KRAG (Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group) you will definitely know one when you see one, seeing all 3 types together makes it even more clear..especially if a Male GCN is in the mix.

[coasty]

Def not a GGN but agree the slightly warty skin is confusing....

[Cpx]

The local Wildlife Pond has newts every spring til late summer... and they look just like them ones. I just call them common pond newts