Palmate newt  (Triturus helveticus)

The palmate newt is the smallest British amphibian, and earns its English name from the strongly webbed hind feet that males develop during the breeding season (4). Both sexes have smooth skin, with olive green or brownish coloured upperparts and a yellow belly featuring a scattering of small black spots. The throat is not spotted and is pinkish in colour (2). Males are slightly smaller than females and have a ‘boxy’ appearance as a result of two ridges that pass along the back. In addition to the webbed feet, they also develop a very low, smooth crest during the breeding season, which extends along the back to the tail, where it forms a deep ‘fin’ (3). The tail has an orange central line passing along its length, bordered by two rows of dark blotches (2). Female palmate newts are easily confused with those of smooth newts (Triturus vulgaris), but the unspotted pink throat is a good distinguishing feature (3). The larvae of smooth and palmate newts are extremely difficult to tell apart from each other (3).