Great Crested Newt ID

vole-woman · #1 (**permalink**) 19-05-2010, 09:23 AM

No photo unfortunately, but last night I spotted a newt that was twice the length of my common newts, with massive front paws. I could only make out the silhouette but with those dimensions, could it have been anything else than a GCN? It looked almost as long as a table knife.

Also it had a bulge around its abdomen - might it have been pregnant?

Gill Catton · #2 (**permalink**) 19-05-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vole-woman

No photo unfortunately, but last night I spotted a newt that was twice the length of my common newts, with massive front paws. I could only make out the silhouette but with those dimensions, could it have been anything else than a GCN? It looked almost as long as a table knife.

Also it had a bulge around its abdomen - might it have been pregnant?

Sounds about right to me!

vole-woman · #3 (**permalink**) 19-05-2010, 09:29 AM

I can't tell you how excited I am!!! Does this mean, if I ever sell the house, the pond is protected? Who do I report GCNs to?

Gill Catton · #4 (**permalink**) 19-05-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vole-woman

I can't tell you how excited I am!!! Does this mean, if I ever sell the house, the pond is protected? Who do I report GCNs to?

I'd report them to me county biological records centre and/or amphibian and Reptile group myself!

Your pond wouldn't be protected but it would ensure that if the pond was ever to be lost (or even if something was to be built nearby) they would have to replace the pond and build in other newt friendly habitat features.

Next time take a torch out (most powerful one you can find)- and see if you can get a definative ID. Sometimes it can be a bit difficult as they can look suprisingly brown in torchlight but the males have this silvery flash down the sides of the tail which is often catches the torchlight really well and is very obvious once you start looking.

But based on the size you quote, its go to be in my opinion. And I'd be excited too if it was my pond

vole-woman · #5 (**permalink**) 19-05-2010, 09:39 AM

Thanks. I'll go all out to get a picture, then I can send it in with my report.

Jim Ford · #6 (**permalink**) 19-05-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vole-woman

I can't tell you how excited I am!!!

You'll have to call yourself 'Newt-Woman' now!

Jim

vole-woman · #7 (**permalink**) 19-05-2010, 09:58 AM

Well, I like newts, and I like voles. But which is better? There's only one way to find out...

Gill Catton · #8 (**permalink**) 19-05-2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vole-woman

Well, I like newts, and I like voles. But which is better? There's only one way to find out...

FIGHT!!!

bearing in mind that water voles ahve been discovered eating frog's legs I suspect the Voles would win (though I don't think newt legs taste so good!)