Great crested newt
species of amphibian
A great crested newt, northern crested newt, or warty newt (Triturus cristatus) is a newt in the family Salamandridae, found mainly across Europe up to about the Ural Mountains.[2]
| Northern crested newt | |
|---|---|
| |
| Male great crested newt in "mating dress". | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Salamandridae |
| Genus: | Triturus |
| Species: | T. cristatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Triturus cristatus (Laurenti, 1768)
| |
| |
| Northern crested newt range | |
It is a relatively large species. Females can measure up to 16 cm and are larger than males, which are 14 to 15 cm long. It is a protected species in the UK and Europe. Land development, population growth and agriculture has disturbed the newt, and it is becoming quite rare.
The newt breeds in ponds and pools, but usually lives on land. The larvae turn into air-breathing young efts and move onto land. They eat small invertebrates, and hibernate through the winter.[3]
References change
- ↑ "Triturus cristatus (Great Crested Newt, Northern Crested Newt)". iucnredlist.org. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
- ↑ Also sometimes in westernmost Asia.
- ↑ English Nature: Great crested newt. [1]