Friday 27 April 2007

Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris)

OTHER NAMES: Common Newt
Latin Etymology: Lissotriton (possibly "smooth triton") vulgaris ("common")
Adult Smooth Newt (subspecies L. v. vulgaris) at Geddington, Northants - April 2011

Featured Subspecies: Lissotriton vulgaris vulgaris
Weight: 1.75-3.5g  /  Length: 10cm
NO UK STATUS IUCN Red List: Least Concern
 
Also known as the common newt, it is indeed the commonest of the three newts found in the United Kingdom. The males in the breeding season have a much more showy look with orange lines, dark spots and a wavy crest, while females, and other newts for the rest of the year appear as above. Newts in general are insectivorous, spend more time in the water than frogs and come onto the land at night to feed, while remaining in water during the day. Related Species:

Order: Caudata 
Family: Salamandridae 
Genus: Lissotriton 
SUBSPECIES: L. v. ampelensis, L. v. graecus, L. v. kosswigi, L. v. lantzi, L. v. meridionalis, L. v. schmidtlerorum, L. v. vulgaris

 - Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread resident
 - Seen at Geddington

Further Notes: 
BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red ListRSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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