Newt in hibernation?

[Bruce Williams]

I took this photo on 10th Feb at Stockgrove Country Park. This little lad (or lass) was tucked into a hollow section of the underside of a log. I assume it was hibernating?

Would appreciate help on identification of species and gender .

I assume it's a newt although I must confess I thought it was a lizard when I first saw it .



Bruce

[Ferret]

Bruce
I think this is a Palmate Newt Triturus helveticus. Why, well it has a virtually unmarked throat and belly and the orange on the belly is restricted to a central stripe the dark stripe threw the eye also suggests Palmate. As for sex at this time of the year, for me, it would only be a guess but I will go for a female as I would expect some light spotting on the side of the head and body if it were a male but never having seen them in hibernation and newts going threw such large changes in body shape and colour during the breeding season this is only a guess.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Ferret.

I've Googled quite a few images on your suggestion and found some very close matches. Interestingly however, the newt's fingers in my pic seem quite short and stubby (may of course be the camera angle) whereas all the web images I've seen show very long fingers? Any thoughts?

Bruce

[Ferret]

Bruce
I think it’s just the angle of the shot, if you look at the second toe from the right that looks quite long. You may also find that webbing and/or fringing may grow around the feet during the breeding season; I know some species of newt do have this but not to sure with Palmate but it would alter the shape of the foot, just guessing here though.

[Bruce Williams]

Ferret - You are absolutely right about the toe thanks.

Bruce