Newts are amphibians, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending most of the rest of the year feeding on invertebrates in woodland, hedgerows and tussocky grassland. They hibernate underground, amongst tree roots and in old walls. Palmate Newts are more likely to be found in ponds in upland areas and moorlands than other newt species.
How to identify:
Our smallest newt, the Palmate Newt is peachy-yellow underneath with few spots on the belly, but none on the throat. In the breeding season males develop black webs on their hind feet and have a thin filament at the end of their tail. Females are difficult to distinguish from female smooth newts.
Where to find it:
A very widespread species, found throughout the country except for the Scottish Islands, the Isle of Man the Isles of Scilly, Northern Ireland and most of the Channel Islands. It is very local in the south and east of England
How people can help:
Human activity, including the drainage of land for agriculture and the loss of ponds through development, has resulted in the disappearance of many wetlands. This has taken its toll on wetland wildlife like newts. The Wildlife Trusts are working closely with planners, developers and farmers to ensure our wetlands are protected. You can help: encourage Newts and other amphibians into your garden by having a wildlife-friendly pond and leaving piles of logs for hibernating beneath. In partnership with the RHS, The Wildlife Trusts' Wild About Gardens initiative can help you plan your wildlife garden.
Statistics:
Length: 9cm Average Lifespan: up to 15 years
Conservation status:
Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.
Did you know?:
The Palmate Newt is named after the big webs which develop on the male's back feet during the breeding season; something the other newts do not have. Palmate Newts are very similar in their behaviour to Smooth Newts. They are crepuscular, coming out into open water only after dark.
