Great Crested Newts
The Great Crested Newt is Britain’s largest and most threatened newt.
How to identify a Great Crested Newt:
- The newt is generally dark brown to black in colour
- The “warty” appearance of the skin (which gives the species its other common name, the “Warty Newt”).
- The underside of the newt is bright orange with black markings that are unique.
Why is the Great Crested Newt in Decline?
The Great Crested Newt used to live in natural wetlands across Britain but human activity, including the drainage of land for agriculture and the loss of ponds through development, has resulted in the disappearance of many wetlands.
Other considerations:
- The large-scale loss of breeding ponds
- The intensification of agriculture has resulted in many farm ponds becoming redundant
- The decline in the suitability of habitat
- The suitable ponds are stocked with fish (which predate both eggs and larvae). The ponds that survive in agricultural land often become polluted with pesticides and fertilisers.
At Ponds by Michael Wheat, we are working closely with other organisation to ensure this “Warty Newt” is looked after for future generations. Ponds by Michael Wheat work closely with Froglife, a charity concerned with the conservation of the UK’s amphibian and reptile species and their associated habitats. If you know of a pond that might have Great Crested Newts in it, contact your local Trust to ensure its recorded and protected.