Palmate Newt

Background

This smooth-skinned amphibian: the Palmate Newt is thought to be the smallest found in Britain. Whilst appearing very similar to the Smooth Newt, a key identification method is to look at the throat. Palmate Newts do not have spots on the throat, whereas the Smooth Newt does. The egg larvae of the two species are indistinguishable from each other.

Habitat

Commonly found within most lakes and ponds in eastern Europe with the exclusion of Ireland, southern Portugal and Spain.

Diet

Invertebrates make up the majority of these small creatures’ diet, this includes crustaceans, tadpoles and fish plankton. They are also show to have cannibalistic tendencies.

Predators & Threats

At both the larval stages and adult stages, the Palmate Newt is highly susceptible to predation by a number of species. During the adult stages, they are preyed on by fish, snakes, ducks and kingfishers, whereas in the larval phase they are consumed by water beetles, fish adult newts and dragonfly nymphs.

Facts

• They lay 100-300 eggs per breeding season.
• Whilst most newts can only survive in freshwater, the Palmate Newt is thought to be able to inhabit salt water rock pools.

Best Time to Look

March - October