Northern Crested Newt

Native to Europe, the Northern Crested Newt inhabits a variety of freshwater environments, including ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers, as well as terrestrial habitats like forests and grasslands close to these water bodies. They are highly dependent on aquatic habitats for breeding but spend a significant portion of the year in terrestrial environments, where they hide under logs, rocks, and leaf litter.

The diet of the Northern Crested Newt consists primarily of invertebrates, including worms, insects, and larvae. In the aquatic phase, they also prey on tadpoles and small aquatic creatures. Their hunting strategy involves using their well-developed sense of smell to locate prey, which they then capture using their sticky tongues.

Reproduction occurs in the spring when newts return to the water to mate. Males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females, involving undulating their crests and tails to release pheromones. Females lay eggs individually, carefully wrapping them in leaves of aquatic plants for protection. The larvae hatch after a few weeks and undergo metamorphosis into terrestrial juveniles by the end of the summer.

The population of the Northern Crested Newt is considered to be decreasing, with habitat loss, pollution, and the introduction of fish into breeding sites posing significant threats. They are protected under European law, which mandates conservation efforts to protect their habitats and ensure the survival of this species. These efforts include habitat restoration, the creation of new ponds, and the monitoring of existing populations to better understand their ecology and inform conservation strategies.