Newts are curious amphibians with four legs, long, streamlined bodies and lidded eyes. They often have remarkable crests and unique markings which make them interesting creatures to spot and study. All three native newt species in the UK can be found in Hertfordshire and early spring is a great time to find them in their breeding grounds.

The three species of newt – Smooth Newt, Palmate Newt and Great Crested Newt – each have their own set of identifying factors. Read on to discover more.

Smooth Newt (also known as Common Newt)

These are the most common of our indigenous newts and are brownish in colour. They can grow up to 11cm in length and in breeding season the male develops a wavy crest along its back. Males have a cloacal bulge and the females have a swollen stomach, due to the presence of eggs. Both males and females share a yellowy/orange underbelly marked with small spots and either have spotted throats.

Palmate Newt

Whilst the palmate newt is the smallest of our three newts, it can be difficult to tell apart from a smooth newt as they are similar in size and colouration. Look closely though and there are small differences, particularly so in the case of the male during breeding season. At this time of year, he will develop a unique filament at the end of his tail and black webbing on his back feet. Both the male and female display a peachy-yellow, translucent throat.

Great Crested Newt

The rarest of our newts, numbers of great crested newts, like all amphibians, have dramatically declined over the past 40 years mainly due to loss of natural habitat. Thus, they are now a protected species. The crest of the great crested newt only applies to the male, and this only appears during the breeding season, after which it is lost, and grows back the following year. However, there are other identifiers that make this newt species stand out from the Smooth Newt and Palmate Newt; the Great Crested Newt is significantly larger and can grow up to 17cm in length; its skin is also different in colour – being dark brown to black, with a bright orange underbelly indiscriminately marked with black blotches; and texturally, it’s warty too – indeed it used to be known as the warty newt because of the black tubercles on its skin. As well as being longer, the Great Crested Newt can take on an altogether bulkier appearance than its counterparts, this is especially so when the female is carrying her eggs.

Habitats and lifestyle

Smooth Newts are the most likely to take up residence in garden and natural ponds during the breeding season, which can extend from February into the early summer. Palmate Newts have slightly different requirements and prefer shallow ponds over acid-rich soil. Outside of the breeding season, newts become more land-loving, seeking out damp places, logs, rocks and other types of natural cover. They dwell in woodland, marshes, hedgerows and tussocky grassland areas. Over the winter months, they prefer to be underground - old cellars, cavities and, particularly, old animal burrows are a favourite location.

Eggs are laid individually and the female will take each one and wrap it in pond weed or a leaf to protect it. Once hatched, the newt larvae produce their front legs first, in contrast to the development of frogs and toads. Initially feathery gills sprout behind the head to allow them to breathe. The eft is the terrestrial juvenile which has developed lungs, and lost the feathery gills, ready to leave the water of its early home.

Newts eat small invertebrates, both those found in the water and on dry land - they also readily cannibalise each other! Despite threats from the environment, deterioration of habitat and from predators higher up the food chain, newts are versatile and are able to regenerate limbs, eyes, jaws and organs. They can survive for 6-15 years.

Newts are nocturnal creatures and, if you have access to a garden pond, you may be able to witness the male’s courtship ‘dance’ in spring evenings by torchlight. He will stand on his front legs, arch his back and wave his tail around to impress! Terrestrially, newts can be found utilising refuges for most of the year.

When looking to observe newts, please do so at a distance and remember that all newt species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Take action for newts

• If you would like to do your bit in creating a habitat for newts, please check out our ‘Make a Wildlife Pond’ blog.
• Support the Trust to protect wildlife and care for nature reserves and wild places across Hertfordshire and Middlesex by making a donation here.