Great crested newt

species of amphibian

A great crested newt, northern crested newt, or warty newt (Triturus cristatus) is a newt in the family Salamandridae, found mainly across Europe up to about the Ural Mountains.[2]

Northern crested newt
Male great crested newt in "mating dress".
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Salamandridae
Genus: Triturus
Species:
T. cristatus
Binomial name
Triturus cristatus
(Laurenti, 1768)
Northern crested newt range

It is a relatively large species. Females can measure up to 16 cm and are larger than males, which are 14 to 15 cm long. It is a protected species in the UK and Europe. Land development, population growth and agriculture has disturbed the newt, and it is becoming quite rare.

The newt breeds in ponds and pools, but usually lives on land. The larvae turn into air-breathing young efts and move onto land. They eat small invertebrates, and hibernate through the winter.[3]

References

change
  1. "Triturus cristatus (Great Crested Newt, Northern Crested Newt)". iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  2. Also sometimes in westernmost Asia.
  3. English Nature: Great crested newt. [1]