Print Page | Close Window

What are these beautiful chaps?

Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: General
Forum Name: What is it?
Forum Description: Seen something in the wild and wondering what it is? This is the place to ask
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4826
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 6:12pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: What are these beautiful chaps?
Posted By: caseyk
Subject: What are these beautiful chaps?
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2014 at 6:06pm

Hi,

Whilst demolishing an old coal bunker I found these two beautiful creatures. How they managed to escape the skip and the bricks I don’t know. I put them in a quiet area of the garden after taking the photos.

Very grateful if anyone can tell me what they are.

Thanks,
Chris





Replies:
Posted By: caseyk
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 9:51am
More photos:



Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 12:13pm
Lovely! They're newts, possibly great cresteds - but someone more newt-wise will likely post and tell you exactly what they are.

-------------
Suz


Posted By: will
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 12:21pm
I'd say smooth newts Lissotriton vulgaris, when they are not in the water the skin becomes a lovely velvety texture, as shown in your photo. You did the right thing with them, and hopefully they will turn up to breed in the nearest suitable pond next spring!


Posted By: Suzy
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 8:27pm
I did think they weren't grainy enough looking on their skin, but was fooled by their dark colour!

-------------
Suz


Posted By: caseyk
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 9:05pm
Fantastic, many thanks to all! I will be keeping an eye out for more now.


Posted By: GemmaJF
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 9:54pm
I'm with Will smooth newts, a male and a female. The one with the large dark blotches on the belly is a male, the other female.

Will wouldn't have seen the new pictures of the bellies when he posted, so excellent ID work from him based on just the first picture Thumbs Up




Posted By: will
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 6:38am
thanks Gemma - more evidence (as if needed) of my sad and lonely misspent youth..



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 11.06 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2016 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.co.uk