An Eye for the Common Newt
The common newt, also known as the smooth newt, or the European newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), is a species of newt found throughout Europe, excluding the Iberian Peninsula; it also has the distinct honor of being the only native newt to Ireland, and one of only three species native to Great Britain. They can reside in a variety of habitats including deciduous and mixed forests, meadows, gardens, ponds, and lakes, although they typically stay at lower elevations.
Smooth newts are not actually entirely smooth; on land they have slightly rough, velvety skin. Outisde the breeding season, both males and females are dull colored, usually brown or olive with black spots. The male sports an orange strip down its belly year round, and during the breeding season it develops brighter coloring along its sides and a large crest on its back. Males are also slightly larger than females; the former an reach from 9–11 cm (3.5–4.3 in) in length while the latter reach only 8–9.5 cm (3.1–3.7 in). Body weight for L. vulgaris varies from0.3–5.2 g (0.011–0.183 oz).
Breeding for European newts can begin from February to May, depending on the population's latitude and altitude. Adults migrate to the nearest body of water, and males display courtship behavior including swimming past the female and flicking her with his tail. He then deposits a sperm-filled sac called a spermataphore, which the female picks up. Females are often fertilized by several males in a breeding season. Later, the female lays anywhere from 100–500 eggs among submerged vegetation.
Larvae L. vulgaris hatch 10-20 days after being laid. The larvae initially only posses a head, gills, and a tail, but begin developing forelimbs after a month or two. By the end of summer, they are fully developed and able to leave the water body in which they were laid. Juveniles become fully mature by the following spring. Individuals may live up to 6 years in the wild.
Common newts are primarily active at night, and during the day they hide under leaf litter or fallen logs. They predate on a variety of invertebrates including earthworms, snails, slugs, insects, arachnids, and bivalves. Due to their small size, smooth newts have a variety of predators such as snakes, waterbirds, frogs, and larger newts; adult smooth newts may also prey on larvae or juveniles of their own kind.
Conservation status: The IUCN has ranked the common newt as Least Concern, although the species is red listed in some countries. Their primary threat is habitat destruction, degradation, or fragmentation which prevents adults from migrating to their breading grounds.
Photos
Aleksandar
Kristian Peters
Vit Lukas
