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Project Noah Nature School
I need help please. Is this a female Smooth Newt, or a female Palmate Newt. I rescued it seconds before my miniature Dachshund sunk her teeth into it. Realising that my dog did not know these are a protected species, I took the newt into the house for ten minutes to make sure she was ok. I used the opportunity to photograph her, then took her back outside, next to my old sink pond. I have tried to take every angle, in order to help the identification. My dog is sulking now.
I reckon it is Alice. It seemed very perplexed watching me tickle the chin of my pet frog next to the pond last night (hope both of them are not going to expect tickles every night... oh dear, what have I let myself in for? Are all wildlife lovers a bit crazy like me? It's ok, you don't have to answer that one!
Love your story and the Newt is likely very happy to have been rescued!
Yes Laura, I thought an explanation was in order (I didn't want anyone to think I had a pet Newt). The Newt was still in the garden last night (I have tagged it on the leg with indelible - non toxic ink). It will be interesting to see how long it stays.
Great find Elizabeth! I'm glad you included a story with your spotting, especially as the photos aren't of the newt in its normal habitat :) I'm happy to hear you rescued it and placed it back in its home, all in one piece! Great chance to get some detailed photos, such a lovely organism :D
Thanks rat.tumour, I have been reading up on smooth newts since Lisa confirmed the ID. I will be writing about them tonight.
According to Wikipedia (about Smooth newts) 'Outside the breeding season, male and female Smooth Newts are hard to distinguish...' 'Both sexes have an orange belly, although it is paler in females, which is covered in rounded black spots. They also have a pale throat with conspicuous spots. This helps to distinguish them from palmate newts that have pale unspotted throats.'
Oh right, I thought they were different all year round... still learning, thanks again.
I would think that is something that would only be distinguishable during the breeding season.
Thank you so much LisaPowers, am I also correct in thinking it is female?
Spotted on Sep 17, 2012
Submitted on Sep 17, 2012
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