David Element's Wildlife Web Page Amphibians 1

David Element

Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images

_________________________________________________________Amphibians 1 – Palmate Newts

PALMATE NEWT Lissotriton helvetica (m)

PALMATE NEWT Lissotriton helvetica (f)

PALMATE NEWTS Lissotriton helvetica (m)

The Palmate Newt Lissotriton helvetica is a resident of a variety of water-bodies although the photographer most strongly associates it with the small pools of acid heathlands. In the UK (and in the absence of alien introductions) it may be most readily separated from the slightly larger Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris by the conspicuous dark webbing that develops between the toes of the hind feet of the males and a spine that grows at the end of the tail during the breeding season. The males also develop crests although these are not particularly easy to see when viewing these amphibians from above in their natural habitat as they are less prominent than those sported by Smooth Newts and the undersides (if they can be seen) are less colourful and devoid of the dark spots that decorate male Smooth Newts in breeding condition. The third and fourth photographs have been included as they show these diagnostic features.