FAQs about newts: great crested newts

Great crested newts and their habitats are protected by lay (Fred Holmes)

WILDLIFE INFORMATION SERVICE

Frequently Asked Questions about... newts:

I think I have great crested newts in my pond, what do I do?

Be sure to properly identify which species of newt you have, using using our identification pages. Newts can be hard to identify and can have features (like a breeding crest) that occur in more than one species.

Great crested newts are strictly protected in the UK. If you do have great crested newts in your pond you will need to be aware of how this law affects your management of the pond. Please talk to one of the following statutory agencies, depending on your location:

Natural England. >>>

Countryside Council for Wales. >>>

Scottish Natural Heritage. >>>

After receiving information from you statutory agency you should inform your local Amphibian and Reptile Group and the local Biological Record Centre of the sighting. These records help these groups understand the distribution of this species locally.

More information:

Identifying amphibians. >>>

Find my Local Records Centre. >>>

Find my local ARG. >>>

Great Crested Newt Conservation project. >>>

Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook. >>>