Reptiles & Amphibians Newts Great crested newt Triturus cristatus Where to find them Great crested newts are widely distributed throughout lowland Great Britain, and absent from Ireland. In the last century great crested newts have declines across Europe, mainly as a result of pond loss and deterioration. Identification Great crested newts are the largest of the UK's three native species. In comparison to the smooth newt and the palmate newt, the great crested newt is significantly larger, growing up to 17cm in length. Great crested newts are dark brown or black in colour with a distinct ‘warty’ skin. The underside is bright orange with irregular black blotches. In the spring, males develop an impressive jagged crest along their back and a white 'flash' along the tail. Females, particularly in the breeding season when they are swollen with eggs, are bulky in appearance but lack the crest of the male. Great crested newt larvae are mottled with black spots and have a fine filament at the end of the tail. Lifecycle Breeding takes place from around March to June. Great crested newts undergo an elaborate courtship routine with males displaying before female newts. After mating, each female lays around 200 eggs, individually laid and wrapped inside the leaves of pond plants. Protection Due to enormous declines in range and abundance in the last century, the great crested newt is strictly protected by British and European law which makes it an offence to: kill, injure, capture or disturb them; damage or destroy their habitat; and to possess, sell or trade. This law refers to all great crested newt life stages, including eggs. Photo gallery Powered by Cincopa HTML Slideshow for Business solution.Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus)cameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 5:32:15 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Neal Armour-Chelucameramake NIKONheight 461orientation 1camerasoftware E995v1.6originaldate 4/23/2004 2:36:04 PMwidth 614cameramodel E995© Chris Dreshcameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 800orientation 1camerasoftware Adobe Photoshop CS3 originaldate 4/7/2012 11:44:50 PMwidth 598cameramodel NIKON D90© Chris Dreshcameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 900orientation 1camerasoftware Adobe Photoshop CS3 originaldate 4/7/2012 11:43:01 PMwidth 598cameramodel NIKON D90© Fred Holmescameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 902orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 5:27:54 PMwidth 600cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmescameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 5:24:09 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmescameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 5:33:45 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmescameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 381orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 5:32:12 PMwidth 607cameramodel NIKON D70© Chris Gleed-Owenflash 16cameramake OLYMPUS OPTICAL CO.,height 819camerasoftware v754u-84originaldate 1/1/0001 6:00:00 AMwidth 614cameramodel C740UZ© Howard Innsflash 16cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 420camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 5/3/2006 4:23:55 PMwidth 602cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550© Fred Holmescameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 382orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 5:22:56 PMwidth 614cameramodel NIKON D70© Chris Dreshcameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 542orientation 1camerasoftware Adobe Photoshop CS3 originaldate 4/7/2012 10:19:23 PMwidth 615cameramodel NIKON D90© ARCcameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 5:26:31 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Ben Limburnflash 16cameramake Canonheight 692orientation 1camerasoftware Adobe Photoshop CS2 originaldate 8/27/2008 2:04:52 PMwidth 612cameramodel Canon DIGITAL IXUS 8© Fred Holmescameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 394orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 5:27:42 PMwidth 616cameramodel NIKON D70© Howard Innsflash 16cameramake PENTAX Corporationheight 359camerasoftware 1.00originaldate 4/30/2006 9:05:17 PMwidth 613cameramodel PENTAX Optio 550© Chris Dreshcameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 408orientation 1camerasoftware Adobe Photoshop CS3 originaldate 4/7/2012 10:18:39 PMwidth 607cameramodel NIKON D90© Fred Holmescameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 367orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 8:16:39 PMwidth 593cameramodel NIKON D70© Fred Holmescameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 400orientation 1camerasoftware PictureProject 1.0.0originaldate 4/17/2006 8:25:27 PMwidth 602cameramodel NIKON D70© Chris Dreshcameramake NIKON CORPORATIONheight 606orientation 1camerasoftware Adobe Photoshop CS3 originaldate 4/7/2012 10:24:51 PMwidth 613cameramodel NIKON D90 Manage Cookie Preferences