Newt ID, Scotland (1 Viewer)

Capercaillie71

Well-known member

• Sep 28, 2010

• #1

Can this newt be identified?

I tend to assume that the newts that I find in my garden are Palmate, but I have no idea if this is true, or if it is possible to ID them when they are in terrestrial mode.

 

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Hedgeland

Well-known member

• Sep 28, 2010

• #2

Capercaillie71 said:

Can this newt be identified?

I tend to assume that the newts that I find in my garden are Palmate, but I have no idea if this is true, or if it is possible to ID them when they are in terrestrial mode.

Click to expand...

Best way is to check the throat - Palmates are pale (pinkish white) and rarely have any spots or speckles etc whereas a smooth newt has spots.

 

Jacana

Will Jones

• Sep 28, 2010

• #3

i think in northern Scotland they are most likely to be Palmates, but as Hedgeland says, the throat and belly pattern are the best way to tell them apart

 

Capercaillie71

Well-known member

• Sep 29, 2010

• #4

Many thanks for your help - I didn't want to disturb it by picking it up and looking at its belly, although I suppose firing a camera flash in its face wasn't much better! It was quite small (no more than about 7cm) so that possibly favours Palmate as well?

 

Jacana

Will Jones

• Sep 29, 2010

• #5

palmates are much smaller, so yeah that does act in it's favour

 

Hedgeland

Well-known member

• Sep 30, 2010

• #6

checked NBN and palmate are much more common around you neck of the woods

 

Capercaillie71

Well-known member

• Oct 2, 2010

• #7

Thanks. I think I'll continue assuming they are palmate, but next time I'll have a look at its belly!