A number of newts

Gerel · #1 (**permalink**) 19-02-2009, 11:08 PM

Found these chaps under an old sack today. Anyone know what the collective name is for newts?

(btw I put the sack back after taking pics)

ron1863 · #2 (**permalink**) 20-02-2009, 12:01 AM

Nice shots and it looks like they have a ready supply of centipedes in there to sustain them.
I don't think there is a collective nouns for a group of Newts, though the collective noun for toads is a knot.

smartie · #3 (**permalink**) 20-02-2009, 06:20 AM

I don't think there is one either. Some say that "knot" can be used for newts as well as toads - though it's "army" for frogs. It would certainly fit, since when newts tuck themsleves away for the winter they do form themselves into little knots of several newts - as witness your picture.

marvin · #4 (**permalink**) 20-02-2009, 06:34 PM

hi

very cute and a real treat this time of year

. it might be worth double-checking your id though - the dorsal stripe suggests young palmate newts to me but i am happy to be corrected.

cheers
tim

The Woodman · #5 (**permalink**) 20-02-2009, 07:04 PM

The Forestry Commissions Wildlife Rangers Handbook gives Colony for Frogs and Knot for Toads but nothing for newts.

diggleken · #6 (**permalink**) 21-02-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin

hi

very cute and a real treat this time of year

. it might be worth double-checking your id though - the dorsal stripe suggests young palmate newts to me but i am happy to be corrected.

cheers
tim

Could be Tim, difficult at that stage of course, and without seeing underneath the chin or a clear pic - but you could well be right if they are in an upland peaty place, more favoured by palmates.
Ken

Gerel · #7 (**permalink**) 21-02-2009, 05:34 PM

I must admit that I didn't really think about whether they were smooth or palmate at the time. I didn't take a shot of the underside as they are still hibernating so I didn't want to disturb them too much.

Here's a clearer shot of one though.

BTW I'm shocked Ron, that's a millipede not a centipede

Steve

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 21-02-2009, 07:23 PM

The newt in the last post is a smooth newt you can see the depression before its eye something palmate newts lack, which suggests the other newts are the same. They are last years efts looking at the size of them so wont breed this year, but are a very good sign that they are doing well. The two lines on the back (clearer in the other photo) are distinctive of female smooth newts. Sub adults can be hard to separate but these are smooth newts Triturus vulgaris.