Smooth Newt – Triturus vulgaris or Lissotriton vulgaris

Scietific classification:

Distribution and habitat:

Apart from Soth France, Spain and Protugal, the smooth newt can be found widespread in Europe and western Asia. It is especially common in lowland areas, but it is also prevalent the hilly and mountainous areas. It rarely goes above 1000 meters in height however. I lives in decidious forests, parks, fields, meadows, it can be found near settlements too. It likes open bodies of water.
Lakes, marshes, streams, wallows, fish ponds and their surroundings serve as habitat for the newt. itcan be found in tire tracks along the way, quietly trickling canals, undisturbed mining lakes. It often settles in ponds built in gardens as well.

Morphology:

The spotted newt is sleek, only 4 inches long ,its body is finely divided. Three longitudinal furrows are on his head. Its skin during aquatic life is smooth, but when returning to the land it becomes dry and rough. On the head of the male there are 5-7 longitudinal dark stripes ,olive green, yellow, brown or almost black in color, and large, dark, round spots mostly. The male is darker in color than the female ones.

Diet:

The adult animals on land eat smaller worms, naked insects and molluscs,while in the water they feed on insect larvae, small crabs, frog eggs.

Behaviour:

Usually in March, but after milder winters can come up in late February from hiding, and finds shallow ponds richly overgrown by plants.
During the daytime it hides under stones, roots, or in hollows int he ground, while at night it comes forth to hunt.

Reproduction:

Its most common breeding places are lowland meadows and fields flooded after the melting of the snow. The main season of breeding is in April, buti n some cases it can last until June. The female lays about 300 eggs, mainly on the leaves of aquatic plants, or if not possible, on rocks. The eggs develop in about 14 days, but in colder weather it can take up to 20 days for them to hatch. The larvae morph by the beginning or end of August, and leave the water afterwards, to where they return only after 3 years, mature, to breed again. The matures after breeding return tol and lifestyle.

Role in the ecosystem:

It is an important participant of the food chain, including water and land aswell.

Newt in the soil:

The mature newts spend the day hiding under rocks, roots, or in hollows in the ground.

State and vulnerability:

It is sensitive to water and soil pollution. The decrease of watery habitats, especially shallow still water ponds, have significantly reduced the ampunt of breeding area for the newt.
In Hungary it is considered endangered, and it is under the protection of the law. It’s conservation value is 2000 Forints.