FAQs about newts: which species?

Great crested newts have orange and black bellies (Fred Holmes)

WILDLIFE INFORMATION SERVICE

Frequently Asked Questions about... newts:

What species of newt have I seen?

There are three native newt species in the UK. Smooth newts are the most common.

Smooth newt:

Up to 10cm long.

Brown upper body sometimes with visible black spots.

Pale orange belly with small black spots.

Males develop a continuous wavy crest, running from the head to then end of the tail, during the breeding season.

Palmate newt

Very similar to smooth newt but a maximum of around 8-9cm.

Throat is usually plain (unspotted).

Males develop webbed back feet, a ridge running along the back and a thin filament at the end of the tail during the breeding season.

Great crested newt (pictured above)

Up to 16cm long.

Rough, black skin often with white-tipped 'warts'.

Bright orange belly with irregular black blotches.

During the breeding season males have a jagged crest running from the head, along the back, with a break at the base of the tail; the tail also has a conspicuous white flash.

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