# Great Crested Newt (*Triturus cristatus*) The Great Crested Newt is known for its bumpy skin and beautiful crest. They are good swimmers and love to explore! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Ponds and marshes - **Also known as:** Crested Newt, Northern Crested Newt ![Great Crested Newt](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426099/objects/5663.jpg) ## Appearance The Great Crested Newt is a large, robust newt with dark brown to black warty skin. Its belly is bright orange or yellow with irregular black spots. Males develop a spectacular jagged crest along their back during the breeding season, making them look like miniature dragons. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Salamandridae - **Genus:** Triturus ## Interesting facts - During breeding, males grow a spectacular jagged crest like a miniature dragon! - Their bright orange and black spotted belly is unique to each newt, like a fingerprint! - Their bumpy, warty skin helps them blend in with the muddy pond bottom or damp soil. - They wrap each tiny egg in a leaf, one by one, to keep it safe from danger! ## Special abilities - **Regeneration Power:** Great Crested Newt can regrow lost limbs, tails, and even parts of their eyes because this helps them recover from injuries. - **Toxic Shield:** Great Crested Newt has skin that produces mild toxins because this helps protect them from predators. - **Skin Breather:** Great Crested Newt can absorb oxygen directly through their skin because this helps them breathe underwater for long periods. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-17 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.015 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-15 years - **Clutch Size:** 100-400 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-120 days ## Diet & Feeding These newts are small predators, eating tiny insects, worms, and even other amphibian larvae. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat tiny aquatic organisms, while adults feast on larger insects and larvae. - **Primary Foods:** Pond snails, Insect larvae, Aquatic worms, Tadpoles, Small crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — A common predator on land and near breeding ponds. - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Wading bird that preys on newts in the water. - **Eats:** Great Pond Snail (*Lymnaea stagnalis*) — An important food source for adult newts. - **Eaten by:** Great Diving Beetle (*Dytiscus marginalis*) — Its larvae are fierce predators of newt larvae. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Great Crested Newt? Compare body shape, toes, markings, tail and skin texture. Tadpoles and larvae can look nothing like the adults they turn into. Amphibian Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Great Crested Newt? 10-17 cm ### How much does Great Crested Newt weigh? 0.005-0.015 kg ### How long does Great Crested Newt live? 6-15 years ### What does Great Crested Newt eat? These newts are small predators, eating tiny insects, worms, and even other amphibian larvae. ### Where is Great Crested Newt usually found? Ponds and marshes ### How does Great Crested Newt hunt? Ambush ### How many eggs does Great Crested Newt lay? 100-400 ## Where to spot - [Drusillas Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/drusillas-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Geo-Naturpark Frau-Holle-Land](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/geo-naturpark-frau-holle-land) — Hessen, DE · Park - [Naturpark Elm-Lappwald](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elm-lappwald-nature-park) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park - [Landschaftspark Herzberge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/landschaftspark-herzberge-berlin) — Berlin, DE · Park - [Saône Marsh](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saone-marsh) — Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, FR · Park - [Versigny Heaths National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/versigny-heaths-national-nature-reserve) — FR · Park [View all places to see Great Crested Newt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/great-crested-newt) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Great Crested Newt: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-crested-newt)