Golden coloured newt, please help to identify

Kirstydomakin · #1 (**permalink**) 26-09-2010, 07:38 PM

Hi
I found this newt in the border of my garden today when I was digging (Billericay, Essex) I suspect it is a Common Newt but it looked more golden than the images of ones I have found online, so I just wanted to double check.
Many thanks

Malcolm Banks · #2 (**permalink**) 27-09-2010, 11:26 PM

I think you are correct in that they do look like the smooth (or Common) newts in my pond. One key feature discriminating smooth from palmate is the lack of "palmation" or webbing in the feet. I am not a newt authority though, I hasten to add

You could try putting "Smooth newt" as a search term in the Gallery/image library and you should pull up lots of examples for comparison, or an expert might be along in a minute!
M

Stomatopod · #3 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 01:18 AM

Newts - like most amphibians and reptiles - can vairy in shade according to temprature, mood, health as well as genes.

I cant quite tell from the photo but it could be a immature or female palmate newt? The main distinguishing feature is that Smooth (common) newts have spotted throats and palmates do not. The smooth newt is usually more spotted with a darker, bigger more colourfull crest on the males in spring.

Also the palmate has a dark, extended tip to its tail as well as the dark "palmate" or webed hind legs especially in males during breeding season.

Always try to turn them over an check the throat to be sure..

fox403 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2010, 07:36 PM

its a smooth newt and a nice looking one

Matt Smith · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2010, 11:27 PM

With a juvenile newt like that it is almost impossible to tell the species - it is either a smooth or plamate new, thats the best we can do from those photos.

Stomatopod · #6 (**permalink**) 13-10-2010, 06:35 PM

True... Although i reckon its probably likely to be Smooth as fox says given the location. I have both Smooth and Palmate newts in my pond but females and Juveniles are very hard to tell appart from above.

Kirstydomakin · #7 (**permalink**) 14-10-2010, 09:14 AM

Thanks all for your replies, much appreciated .
Kirsty

RAINBOWRUSSELL · #8 (**permalink**) 14-10-2010, 09:21 AM

I had something that looked very like this in one of my bird baths last week..tried to take a pic but didn't have my glasses on so was a bit blurred,will try to upload.it was about an inch long and very pale..I thought it was a lizard but maybe it was a newt!I'm not good at these sorta creatures cos I thought newts didn't have long tails.Sorry.

hedgehugger · #9 (**permalink**) 14-10-2010, 03:41 PM

Earlier this year I had orange newts

they weren't all like it, but several were

Stomatopod · #10 (**permalink**) 16-10-2010, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAINBOWRUSSELL

I had something that looked very like this in one of my bird baths last week..tried to take a pic but didn't have my glasses on so was a bit blurred,will try to upload.it was about an inch long and very pale..I thought it was a lizard but maybe it was a newt!I'm not good at these sorta creatures cos I thought newts didn't have long tails.Sorry.

If it was submerged in water it was most likely a newt not a drowning baby lizard.

Native lizards seldom submerge themselves unless really overheated but can easily swim. Newts however wander about on damp nights and come the dawn will try to get into the nearest water even if its a bird bath...