Smooth Newts

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Scientific name:  Triturus vulgaris

Size:  Smooth newts grow to a length of around 9cm.

Distribution:  Found throughout the UK

Months seen:  March to October

Life Span:  Approximately 5 years

Habitat:  Smooth Newts can be found in, or near, ponds and streams during spring and summer.  In early October they come out of the water to hibernate on dry land through to spring time.  They spend the winter under stones, logs, or in compost heaps, where the temperature can be a little warmer.

Food:  Slugs, worms and insects

Special features:  Smooth Newts are sometimes confused with Common Lizards, especially when they have just emerged from hibernation and their skin is dry and dusty.  However Smooth Newts move more slowly and are much smaller in size.  In the summer months, the undersides of their tails and their bellies become bright orange, however, this colouration fades in autumn and winter.

When they emerge from hibernation in the spring, they head straight for their breeding ponds.  Sometimes this involves crossing roads to reach their destination and being slow moving creatures this can create problems for them.  Where the kerb stones are too steep for them to climb, they can get trapped in gutters.  In addition, some carelessly fall into drains.  If you see one in a road, and it looks like it's in trouble, give it a helping hand by putting it out of the way of road, and foot traffic.

Where frogs and toads lay a mass of spawn, in the hope that a few will survive, newts carefully deposit single eggs, which they hide under the leaves of aquatic plants.  The tadpoles have feathery gills which gradually disappear as they mature.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Amphibian Section
• What's Out Now?