Italian Crested Newt
Identification: Looks like Great Crested Newt, but is built a little stronger and the skin is less coarse. Length up to 17 cm. Females larger than males. Back grey to brownish black or yellowish, usually lighter than in the Great Crested Newt, so the large round black spots are more distinct. The flanks have little or no white stippling. The belly is orange with large black spots. The throat is dark with white stippling. Small warts on the skin, but the skin is smoother than in Great Crested Newt and the limbs are a little longer and stronger. In the aquatic stage, the female has a low crest on the tail, which has an orange band at the lower edge. The crest of the males is slightly lower than in the Great Crested Newt. There is a distinct pearly stripe over the tail of the male. In the terrestrial stage, the animals are darker coloured and the young animals and females often have a yellowish stripe over the back. The eggs and the larvae are identical to the ones of the Great Crested Newt. Hybridisation occurs between both species.
Range: East and south of the Alps. Introduced to the British Isles, reported from Surrey and Birmingham.
Habitat: Generally similar to Great Crested Newt, only the Italian Great Crested Newt also occurs in water with poor vegetation. Also found in slow-running brooks with dense vegetation. Natural range mainly at altitudes between 400-1600 metres.
Habits: Breeds from March to June. Usually leave the water before August. For further information see Great Crested Newt.
How to find: See Great Crested Newt.