The great crested newt is a large, warty newt of European ponds. In the breeding season, males develop a spectacular crest. It is protected by law across Europe.
Interesting facts
- In spring, males grow a tall, jagged crest along their back and tail.
- Females wrap each egg in a folded leaf of a water plant.
- It is Britain’s largest newt.
- It is strictly protected in the UK and European Union.
- Its skin produces toxins that deter predators.
- Outside the breeding season, it lives on land and hides under logs and stones.
Behaviour
Newts return to ponds in spring, where males display to females. They leave the water in summer and hibernate on land.
Breeding and young
Females lay about 200 eggs, one at a time, each wrapped in a leaf. Larvae develop through summer.
Threats and conservation
Loss of ponds, fish introduced to ponds, pollution and habitat fragmentation.
Where to see it
- Hampton Nature Reserve, Peterborough, England
- Ponds across southern England and the Midlands
- Wetlands in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark
- Surveys are carried out by licensed ecologists at night
Status source: IUCN Red List. Profile last reviewed September 2026.
