Provence amphibian: great crested newt

Great crested newt: illustrated description

Physical characteristics

  • Average length (from head to tip of the tail):
    • male: 140 mm
    • female: 170 mm
  • Jagged dorsal crest (males only, during breeding season)
  • White spotting
  • Warty skin
  • Hind limbs (with 5 digits)
  • Fore limbs (with 4 digits)
  • Orange belly
  • Long, flat tail (up to 50% of its total length) (with a crest in Spring for males)
  • Ringed black eyes

Predators

Aquatic birds (such as herons), and other animals surrounding their habitat may feed on great crested newts: foxes, reptiles, etc.

Fish are the greatest predators of newts larvae, so in order to give them the best habitat, do not add fish to your pond: they’ll have a better chance to thrive.

Breeding season

As most amphibians, the great crested newt needs water in order to reproduce (hence the expression: “aquatic phase”). They will therefore move towards the most favourable pond (ideally without fish).

The males will grow a jagged crest along their back and tail each Spring (and a white line will also appear along its end)
This dorsal/ tail crest will gradually recede (and grow back again the following Spring).

Food

Great crested newts feed on invertebrates (and their larvae) such as small molluscs, insects, arachnids and crustaceans.

Sexual dymorphism

  • Females are longer and sturdier than males.
  • The male cloaca is dark and very rounded.
  • The female cloaca is orange-red and flatter

Great crested newt: scientific classification

  • Domain: biota
  • Kingdom: animalia
  • Phylum: chordata
  • Class: amphibia
  • Order: urodela
  • Family: salamandridae
  • Genus: triturus
  • Species: Triturus cristatus
Sources:
"Guide des amphibiens d'Europe" d'A. & C. NÖLLERT,publisher: éditions Delachaux & Niestlé (book in French)
LPO (bird protection league) training (April 2024)
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
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