Great Crested Newt

Name: Great Crested Newt

Scientific name: Triturus cristatus

Category: Amphibians

Nature Stars: 80

What are nature stars?

About: Newts are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending most of the rest of the year feeding on invertebrates in woodland, hedgerows and tussocky grassland. They hibernate underground, amongst tree roots and in old walls. The British populations of this rare amphibian are internationally important. Great Crested Newts are endangered, and a protected species in this country.

How to identify: Our biggest newt, up to 15cm long. Almost black, warty, an orange belly with black blotches. The males have a long wavy crest along the body with another crest on the tail.

Where: Widespread across lowland England and Wales.

Natural Superpowers

• Predator: 60
• Agility: 30
• Rarity: 80
• Cute factor: 30
• Traveller: 50

Fantastic fact: Individual Great Crested Newts can be identified by looking at their bellies: the pattern of black blotches is as unique as a finger print!

Photograph credit: Philip Precey