is this a newt ?

[ashgale]

i found this under a log today, i think it is most likely a newt , but i have never seen one this dark before, (which only goes to shows how little i know of these things )
the log was at the edge of a conifer plantation on a grassy path, in a very dry area, where we usually spot lizards, which usually dart off at high speed, whereas this one stayed very still, and did not move at all,



there is also a pond about a quarter of a mile away, which is reported as being home to a population of newts,

ashgale.

[Jim Ford]

I'd say it was a Great Crested Newt.

Nice find - I hope you replaced the log with care!

Jim

[suziet]

Wow - how exciting - its def a Newt - and I would guess Great Crested too - very good find xx

[ashgale]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

I'd say it was a Great Crested Newt.

Nice find - I hope you replaced the log with care!

Jim

thanks for the id Jim, and yes the log was very carefully replaced, the nearby pond (which is on NT land, was recently partially cleared of silt and encroaching plant life to improve the habitat for the newts), was reported to be home to great crested newts, so it is most probably one of the ponds former inhabitants,


ashgale.

[ashgale]

Originally Posted by suziet

Wow - how exciting - its def a Newt - and I would guess Great Crested too - very good find xx

Hi Suziet, if that is a great crested newt, then it is the first one i have seen in more years than i care to remember

the last ones i found were in the local vicarge garden pond, where as young boys we used to sneak in through the shrubbery, and try and catch them, much to the vicars displeasure when he caught us,
sadly both gardens and pond are gone, along with the vicarage, and houses now stand there

newts seem to be able to survive very arid conditions quite well, as i have found them in all sorts of unexpected places, usually very dry and dusty ones, usually the more common ones that is,

thanks,
ashgale.

[Dogghound]

Definately a GC Newt.