All About Newts - Newt Facts & Information

About Newts

Living on both land and in water, Newts are a semi aquatic amphibian that is part of the Salamander family.

Across it's range, there are more than 100 known species of Newts - there are only three native species in the UK: Smooth Newts, Palmate Newts and Great Crested Newts.

Like all amphibians, Newts go through three stages of metamorphosis - the Aquatic Larvae stage, Terrestrial Juvenile Newts and the full grown adult Newts.

Newts have a lizard like body and each species looks a little bit different. Each year from the age of two, Newts will colonise garden ponds ready for breeding season.

Newts hibernate underground in tree roots and other places during the winter.

Is A Newt An Amphibian

Yes, the Newt is one of the 8,450 species of known amphibians, like the common frog is too. Newts, like all amphibians, live a unique life that involves multiple stages - one of which is in water and the others are on land.

Are Newts Protected

In the UK, Newts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This means that acts such as taking, injuring, killing and disturbing Newts is prohibited and they are protected.

Also, in Europe, Newts are listed as a European protected species as part of the Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.

Types Of Newts UK

In the UK, there are three types of Newts native to the country. Each is similar, but there are some ways to tell them apart.

Smooth Newt

Also known as the 'common Newt' the Smooth Newt is a brown, spotty newt with an orange belly and black spots on its neck.

In the UK, these are the most widespread Newt species, so if you ever spot a Newt within your pond plants, it is most likely that it is this species of Newt.

Great Crested Newt

The rarest type in the UK, Great Crested Newts, also known as the 'warty Newt' because of its warty skin numbers have been declining over the past few years. This is also the largest species of Newt native to the UK - it is dark in colour and has bumpy skin, a bright orange belly and black spots.

It can be found in the UK, but its range has shrunk in recent years. If you think Great Crested Newts present in an outside space, be careful and leave them along as it is illegal to disturb them.

Palmate Newt

Similar to the Smooth Newt, the Palmate Newt is a similar colour but has a pink or yellow throat without any spots.

This is the UK's smallest Newt and can be found in shallow ponds or acidic habitats.

Newt Habitat

In their natural environment, Newts are found in woodlands, forests, marshes, ponds and streams (where they live can depend on the species)!

For breeding and drinking, Newts require access to water so they inhabit freshwater spots including ponds, streams and marshes.

When they are living on land, they live in places with shelter such as longs, rocks and leaves so that they have ample hiding space from predators. It's also important that the land is near water sources.

Dense vegetation, including grasses, shrubs, ferns, and aquatic plants, is crucial for newt habitats. It provides hiding places, breeding sites, and opportunities for foraging.

Newt Diet

Newts typically have a carnivorous diet and they prey on a variety of invertebrates. Newts commonly consume insects such as beetles, ants, flies, and caterpillars.

Earthworms and other types of worms are also a staple in the diet of many Newt species.

In their aquatic habitats, Newts feed on aquatic invertebrates such as mosquito larvae, water fleas, and small crustaceans. Some larger newt species may occasionally prey on small fish or fish fry if they can catch them.

Newts may also feed on the eggs or larvae of other amphibians, including their own species or those of frogs and salamanders.

Breeding Season for Newts

At the beginning of Spring, adult Newts will head to their breeding ponds to find a mate. This is usually a still pond or garden wildlife pond.

Once they have found a mate, the female will lay around 300 eggs in the pond, she will then wrap them up in pond plants. These eggs will then hatch into Newt Larvae, the first stage of life for Newts. They will feed on water fleas, worms, baby fish, and frog and toad tadpoles.

Once the Newt larvae develop both front legs and hind legs, they will leave the water to live on land and end the terrestrial juvenile stage of their life.

Once they are fully developed adult newts, they will return to the pond during breeding season to breed. Only six of the 300 Newt eggs laid will make it this far in life.

Newt Life Cycle

As an amphibian, baby Newts evolve through stages before they are fully fledged adults. There are three stages of a Newts life.

1. Newt Larvae

Also known as 'efts' this is the stage straight after the eggs have hatched. At this point in their life, they are fully aquatic and hunt frog tadpoles and grow in the pond.

2. Juvenile Newts

Once they are fully developed, Juvenile Newt Babies (that look like their adult form) will leave the pond and begin a life on land. They will live in damp and humid areas that benefit from a lot of coverage, where the young Newts can hunt and hide from predators.

3. Adults

The adult Newts are semi aquatic and will spend the rest of their lives living in both water and on land too.

How To Encourage Newts into Your Garden

Seeing a little Newt in your garden can be really rewarding, and these special creatures will come if you create the perfect environment for them.

The best thing you can do is create a wildlife garden pond as Newts breeding takes place in a pond and all animals need water to drink. It's important not to keep it a fish free pond as fish sometimes eat their eggs.

If you can't provide them with a garden pond, provide shelter in a damp area of your garden and support invertebrates that make up a part of their diet by leaving a wild patch in your garden.

Five Facts about Newts

Newts are amphibians, which means they typically spend part of their lives in water and part on land. They start as aquatic larvae, then transform into terrestrial juveniles and adults. However, they often return to water to breed.

Many species of newts possess skin glands that secrete toxins as a defense mechanism against predators. This toxicity is often accompanied by bright warning coloration, such as orange, yellow, or red markings, to deter potential predators.

Newts are famous for their remarkable regenerative capabilities. They can regrow lost limbs, tails, parts of their heart, and even parts of their brain. This ability has made them important subjects in scientific research on regeneration and tissue repair.

Some species of Newts are known for their relatively long lifespans compared to other amphibians. For example, the Japanese giant salamander, which is the largest amphibian in the world, can live for several decades in captivity.

Newts inhabit a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and freshwater bodies such as ponds, lakes, and streams. They are found on every continent except Antarctica and are particularly diverse in Europe and North America.