Smooth Newt
Lissotriton vulgaris
- Class
- Amphibian
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 15,836
- Most observed in
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The smooth newt, European newt, northern smooth newt or common newt is a species of newt. It is widespread in Europe and parts of Asia, and has also been introduced to Australia. Individuals are brown with a spotted underside that ranges in colour from orange to white. They reach an average length of 8–11 cm (3.1–4.3 in), with males being larger than females. The newts' skins are dry and velvety when they are living on land, but become smooth when they migrate into the water to breed. Males develop a more vivid colour pattern and a conspicuous skin seam (crest) on their back during the breeding season.
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Smooth newt”.