Great Crested Newt (triturus cristatus)

These are the largest and rarest of the three species of newt which we find in the UK, and one which we are lucky to find at Scotswood Garden. 

Due to diminishing numbers caused by habitat loss, the great crested newt (GCN) is a protected species. They are protected by the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside act which means that newts, their breeding sites and eggs are all protected by law from disturbance or damage. At Scotswood Garden, we have a licence from Natural England which means we are trained in protecting newts and handling them with care. 

GCNs are amazing to look at. They have bright orange and black spotted tummies and black warty skin. The male has a large, jagged crest and a white flash in its tail (which he uses to impress the female!)

Ponds are important for GCNs because this is where they mate, lay eggs and where newt larvae mature into adults. The female will lay up to 200 eggs per season, which she wraps individually in pond leaves. The eggs hatch out into larvae with gills to breathe (like fish!) After that they develop front legs, then back legs and become air breathing. 

It's not just the pond that is important for newts, the surrounding area has to have lots of vegetation and insects for newts to eat too! Through the winter you will often find them under logs, stones or piles of leaves keeping warm. 

This video gives you lots of information about great crested newts and some great footage of them.