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Great Crested Newt

Great crested newt is a species of newt belonging to the family Salamandridae, found in Europe and parts of Asia.



    Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
    Class Amphibia
    Order Caudata
    Family Salamandridae
    Genus Triturus
    Scientific Name Triturus cristatus


    Other Names Northern crested newt, warty newt
    Length Up to 16 cm
    Weight Males: 7.6 -10.6 g
    Females: 6.3 – 9.4 g
    Color Dark gray-brown upper surface and sides, covered with dark spots; yellow or orange-colored underside covered in large black uneven patches
    Distribution Europe, parts of Asia
    Habitat Scrub, rough grass, and woodland close to breeding water bodies
    Diet Terrestrial prey includes insects, worms, and other invertebrates while aquatic prey consists of tadpoles, young froglets, other newts, insect larvae, and water snails
    Hibernation Fact Hibernate during winter under logs or stones or in the mud at the bottom of its breeding water bodies
    Predators Fish, snakes, water birds, hedgehogs, weasels, stoats, rats
    Breeding Season End of winter
    Mode of Reproduction Oviparous (egg laying)
    Clutch Size 2 to 3 eggs per day; 200 to 300 eggs in total between March and middle of July
    Incubation Period Around 3 weeks
    Metamorphosis Period Around 5 months
    Reproductive Age 2 or 3 years of age
    Average Lifespan Up to 10 years in general; however, can live up to 27 years
    IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern

    Great Crested Newt Pictures Gallery

    Published on March 24th 2017 by under Newts. Article was last reviewed on 30th September 2019.

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