The Crested Newt, or Great Crested Newt as it is sometimes known, is the largest European Newt growing to 18 cm in length, with a tail that makes up almost half of this length.
The “fingers and toes” are un-webbed at all times. Colouration varies depending on whether it is in land phase or the aquatic breeding phase as does the size of the males crest. In land phase the colour is generally dark, brown or olive green with darker spots and light speckling and the males crest is greatly reduced. The underneath is yellow with bold black markings which are unique to each individual. In the aquatic breeding phase the males’ crest, which is jagged, becomes much larger reaching from tail to head, colouration becomes bolder and bluer and there is evidence of yellow on the legs, fingers and toes. In the case of the female there is an increase in the size of the smooth crest on the tail with similar changes in colour.
