Triturus vulgata - Common Newt

Here is a common newt; they are found in many lowland ponds and slow-flowing streams in Britain. These little amphibians grow to a length of about 10 cm. This specimen was found beside our gardenpond in West Wales, where many dragonfly larvae prey on anything that moves - and so that's living dangerously, even for sonething as large as a newt!

Common newts spend much of their time on land, but between early spring and mid-summer you may find them in the weedy, shallow water at the margins of ponds, lakes and slow-flowing rivers.

Just like other amphibians, young newts are born in spring or early summer.

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