This article is about Salamanders in the British Isles. Newts are part of the Salamander family, and are semi-aquatic amphibians, spending the majority of their lives on land but seeking out standing water such as ponds during the breeding season. Three of the five species are native. This article is an introductory guide to each starting with the three native species.
Did You Know? The British Isles are home to five species of newt?
Family: Salamandridae
Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus)
The Great Crested Newt is the largest of our native species. Typically black or dark brown with white warty blotches on their flanks. The underparts are bright orange, and they feature distinctive black and yellow feet.
As their name suggests, a distinguishing feature is a crest running down their backs. However, only the male gets this feature during the breeding season and is then absorbed back after the season is over. The species has seen declines across the European Continent. Except in Northern Ireland, the Great Crested Newt can be found in lowland habitats across the British Isles.
Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris)
The Smooth Newt is also known as the Common Newt. They are widespread in the British Isles in lowland habitats.
They are typically olive-green or brown on their upperparts with orange or yellow underparts. They have distinctive black spots which become very prominent in breeding males. Note that both males and females have spots on their throats. Males also develop a crest along their backs during the breeding season. Noting that the crest is unbroken unlike that of the Great Crested Newt.
Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus)
The Palmate Newt is very similar in size, shape, and color to the Smooth Newt. The way to positively ID that you are looking at a Palmate Newt is that neither males nor females have spots on their throats. They are absent from Northern Ireland but can be found across the British Isles in lowland areas.
Italian Crested Newt (Triturus carnifex)
The Italian Crested Newt is similar in appearance to the Great Crested Newt. Indeed, the Italian Crested Newt was once classified as a sub-species of the Great Crested Newt. Telling the two species apart is troublesome. They typically have smoother skin than the Great Crested Newt, with fewer white blotches, and a more prominent line on their backs. At best though all these differences are subjective since the Great Crested Newt and Italian Crested Newt are known to interbreed; therefore hybridization of features is somewhat inevitable.
They are widespread across the South of England and are thought to be a consequence of escapees or deliberate releases by pet owners and/or the pet trade.
Alpine Newt (Mesotriton alepestris)
The Alpine Newt is the most colorful species on our list. Alpine Newts often appear blue-green or brown-grey on their upperparts with distinctive marbling on their flanks. Both males and females have paler underparts. During the breeding season, the males develop bright-orange underparts and display a yellow or white crest.
Related Articles
REFERENCES
- Speybroeck, J. (2016) Field guide to the amphibians & reptiles of Britain and Europe. London, [England] ; Bloomsbury. [Accessed 19/04/2025]
