Crested Newt
Triturus cristatus
Also known as: Great Crested Newt, Northern Crested Newt, Warty Newt
About This Species
A large newt of ponds, ditches and slow-flowing water across much of Europe, spending spring in the water to breed before moving into damp woodland, hedgerow or grassland for the rest of the year. Breeding males develop a jagged dorsal crest and are most visible at dusk or after dark, when torchlight surveys of still, vegetated ponds can reveal them near the surface. Late spring, during the breeding season, is the best time to look.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- This species is strictly protected across much of its European range, including under the UK's Wildlife and Countryside Act and the EU Habitats Directive, making it illegal in many countries to catch, disturb, injure or handle individuals, or to damage their breeding ponds, without a licence.
- Observe from the bank without entering the water or handling animals, and report any survey or development work near a known pond to the relevant conservation authority.
LCAmphibiaCaudataSalamandridae
Seasonal Activity
165,376 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Amphibia
- Order
- Caudata
- Family
- Salamandridae
Photo
(c) Todd Pierson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA)
CC-BY-NC-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.