Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris (prev. Triturus vulgaris)

The Smooth Newt, also called Common Newt, is native to most of Europe (not far north/far south). Skin is smooth, unlike the warty Great Crested Newt or the scaly lizard.

Outside the breeding season, male and female Smooth Newts look similar with a smooth olive-brown upperside and pale orange belly. In the breeding season the male (above centre) develops dark spots, a brighter orange belly and a small wavy crest along the back. The female (above right) has two thin lines along the back giving a boxy look and may have tiny black spots.

Most newts hibernate above ground in winter and return to still water to breed in the spring.

The Smooth Newt is some 10cm length, slightly longer than the Palmate Newt (8-9) but shorter than the Great Crested Newt (15) and the Common Lizard (15cm). Newts have 4 toes on their front feet whereas lizards have 5.

As an amphibian, the larval stage of a newt is called a tadpole, just like larvae of frogs, or, occasionally, a water eft (eft is usually used for the terrestrial juvenile). Newt larvae retain their feathery gills while growing front and back legs.