Smooth Newt
colours
Description
Females and non-breeding males are pale brown or olive green, sometimes with two darker stripes down the back. Both sexes have an orange belly but the females is paler and their bellies are covered in black spots. Their pale throats also has spots, which helps distinguish it from the Palmate Newt, which are unspotted. During the breeding season, the males develop a wavy (not jagged) crest running from their head to their tail and their spotted markings become more prominent. They can also be distinguished from the female by their fringed toes.
Primary Image
Scientific Name
Triturus vulgaris
Distribution
Common throughout the U.K.
Life Span
Around 6 years but occasionally much longer.
Habitat
They are found in a variety of habitats outside of the breeding season including woodland, marshes, wet heathland, gardens, parks and farmland. They prefer still water with reed beds and weeds such as lake margins, ditches and ponds in which to breed.
Length
7-11cm. Males are normally larger
Confusion Species
Reproduction
The male seeks out a female and will waft glandular secretions towards her by wfanning his tail and crest at her. This stimulates the female to approach him and he then drops a small parcel of spermatophore (sperm sac) towards her. She then positions herself over this sac so that her cloaca (opening to repoductive organs and kidneys) picks it up. She then starts to lay 7-12 eggs each day and lays up to 400 in total, noramlly on broad leaved aquatic plants. The eggs hatch, usually around 2-3 weeks later but is dependant on water temperature. The newt larvae have external gills that absorb oxygen directly from the water but in around 10 weeks will have metamorphisised into air breathing juveniles who become sexually mature after 3 years.
Also Known As
Diet
Behaviour
They are nocturnal creatures spending the day hiding under stones, logs or in compost heaps. Adult newts shed their skin as often as once a week.
Status
They are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) but their numbers continue to decline due to urbanisation, farming and pollution.
Did You Know?
When coming up for air there is usually a popping sound heard.