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Great crested newt

©Joy Russell

Great crested newt

Enw gwyddonol: Triturus cristatus
With its prominent, wavy crest, the great crested newt, also known as the 'warty newt', looks like a mini dinosaur! This protected species favours clean ponds during the breeding season.

Species information

Ystadegau

Length: up to 17cm
Average lifespan: 6-15 years

Statws cadwraethol

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework. Listed as a European Protected Species under Annex IV of the European Habitats Directive.

Pryd i'w gweld

March to October

Ynghylch

Newts are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending most of the rest of the year feeding on invertebrates in woodland, hedgerows, marshes and tussocky grassland. They hibernate underground, among tree roots and in old walls. The UK's populations of the great crested newt are internationally important.

Sut i'w hadnabod

Our biggest newt, the great crested newt is almost black in colour, with spotted flanks and a striking, orange belly. It has warty skin and males have a long, wavy crest along the body and tail during the breeding season.

Dosbarthiad

Widespread across lowland England and Wales.

Habitats

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

Individual great crested newts can be identified by looking at their bellies as the pattern of black spots they each sport is as unique as a fingerprint. As well as their distinctive crests, males have an extravagant courtship display to woo females: they stand on their front legs, arch their back and wave their tail around as if they are dancing.