Newt to identify please

Elean0r · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 10:32 PM

The first three pictures were taken the other day.

I think it might be a Palmate Newt, from the tail spur.

This one was taken this afternoon, a different newt but the picture shows what looks like thickening on the hind legs.

Is this chap ready to breed?

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 09-04-2010, 07:59 AM

Yes a male Palmate Newt. The bottom photo is one too. They are about in breeding condition.

dampflippers · #3 (**permalink**) 09-04-2010, 08:34 AM

Yes, male palmate.

As you said - filament on end of tail, non wavy top to its crest, and little flippers/ dark webbing on back feet, bulge behind back legs to show it's a male. If you had a tummy shot, the chin and armpits would be pink/pigmentless (probably).

I'm really impressed with the clear cornea being visible in the head shot!

Elean0r · #4 (**permalink**) 13-04-2010, 10:31 PM

Thanks.

I'm trying to work out how to get an underneath shot, but haven't any clear containers to put anything in, a jam jar isn't really big enough

Quote:

I'm really impressed with the clear cornea being visible in the head shot!

I was very pleased with it, pure fluke.

dampflippers · #5 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 10:28 AM

If you are confident you can turn it over in your hand, but they are notoriously wriggly, so to avoid possibly hurting one, how about trying a clean pyrex dish?

A jamjar would actually work ok.
Put only about an inch of water in, and carefully put the newt in. Put it down, and wait with your camera. Chances are it will try to climb out, and you will be able to get a great tummy shot. And also a very cute face shot as it peeps over the top. (don't use flash)

vole-woman · #6 (**permalink**) 14-04-2010, 10:53 AM

Lovely to see one of these close up!

Elean0r · #7 (**permalink**) 16-04-2010, 08:30 PM

It was pure magic to see it close up, it really was a treat.

I was surprised at how nosey/curious it was, I'm sure it thought it could eat the coins.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dampflippers

If you are confident you can turn it over in your hand, but they are notoriously wriggly, so to avoid possibly hurting one, how about trying a clean pyrex dish?

A jamjar would actually work ok.
Put only about an inch of water in, and carefully put the newt in. Put it down, and wait with your camera. Chances are it will try to climb out, and you will be able to get a great tummy shot. And also a very cute face shot as it peeps over the top. (don't use flash)

I'll try that with a jam jar and see what happens, I have a feeling it would manage to climb out of a pyrex dish because of the sloping sides.

I'm not too happy about handling such a tiny wriggly thing, just in case it leaps off my hand and gets hurt. It's in the pond to make some more newts, and more newts means fewer slugs in our garden.

Naturenutz · #8 (**permalink**) 16-04-2010, 08:57 PM

Hi Eleonor , handle it close to the ground,that way should it wriggle it wont fall far.In my youth we used to catch them and they are tougher cookies than they look.
I also found a newt today in some vegetation i was clearing on the edge of a cycle track.It appeared fully grown so why it was not in water i dont know.Unless it was under breeding age i guess.

dampflippers · #9 (**permalink**) 17-04-2010, 08:21 PM

It doesn't matter if it climbs out of the pyrex. Place it on the grass and have your camera ready for the tummy shot. Put a little water in the pyrex, and wet your hands before picking it up.
If you catch it with a net, just carefully tip it out if you don't dare handle it.

Elean0r · #10 (**permalink**) 17-04-2010, 09:52 PM

I'll have a go next week. Thanks for the ideas.

We've never had, or never noticed, newts in our garden before so these are a bit special.

The last one I handled was a few years ago, in the middle of a gravel car park. The poor thing was terribly shrivelled up but we managed to catch it and then carried it to a ditch, it disappeared quite smartly, without so much as a thank you.