A Newt by Any Other Name
TheSloth
Posts: 38
Hi, can anyone help identify these newts that insist on leaving the pond and roasting themselves in the greenhouse. I can't decide between Smooth and Palmate, possibly because they're dry as a bone. Many thanks.
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Last edited: 17 May 2016 13:15:30
Looked into this myself a few weeks ago Sloth, and as the bottom one has spots all the way up its throat, it's a Smooth/Common newt: palmates have unspotted throats. I wanted to find out what ours wre, but haven't caught one yet!
Think the other obvious difference between the species is the crest, but as this only occurs when breeding (ie when they're in water) and only in the males, it may well be inconclusive for you!
These were handy:
http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/palmate_newt.asp
http://www.froglife.org/amphibians-and-reptiles/palmate-newt/
Hope helps!
Thank you Rob. I think it's the spots which threw me as they definitiely extend up the neck but the orange colour doesn't. I think I'm erring on the side of Common too, I mean, as a newt...where does ones throat end and body begin?
Ah, a question I've often asked myself when shaving(!). Here's a pic of someone purporting to know the difference (a couple of page-downs)!
https://rhydycreuau.wordpress.com/2012/03/15/the-amphibians-arrive/
Definitely a male Smooth Newt.