One of the most discreet animals, the newt, leads its peaceful life between stagnant water and forest cover, to the rhythm of the seasons. More and more rare, some of its species are classified in the Bern Convention; it is thus necessary to protect this small amphibian to preserve it.
Who are you?
There are several species of newts all belonging to the genus Triturus: the palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus), the spotted newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), the crested newt (Lissotriton cristallus), the marbled newt (Lissotriton marmoratus) and the alpine newt (Lissotriton alpestris).
Each of these species lives in a particular habitat between water and land throughout their life cycle.
The newts are urodelic amphibians, that is to say that they have a tail, which in their case is flattened on each side. They have a larval life which takes place entirely in water, then an adult life shared between dry land, ponds, water holes and small calm rivers. Their rhythm is very linked to the climatic conditions; In winter, they begin a period of rest, generally on the ground under a stone or plants if the winter is not very rigorous. In altitude, the winter can be spent under water.
Newts are carnivorous and feed on small mollusks, worms, mosquito larvae, frog eggs and insects.
Breeding always takes place in aquatic environments around April. After a nuptial parade, the male deposits a spermathopore at the bottom of the water which will be absorbed by the cloaca of the female. The latter will then lay one or two eggs which she will hang on the surrounding aquatic plants. The larva, similar to a tadpole, will develop in the water during 3 months until the end of the summer, period when the metamorphosis will be complete and when the young newt will leave the water to begin its adult life. It will generally spend the winter on land, then will dive back into the water for its mating. This is followed by an amphibious life until the next winter.
The different species of newt
The marbled newt is present in the forest environments of the South-West and the West of the country. It is recognizable by its green body punctuated with black spots and its lighter belly. It can reach 15 cm in length. This newt appreciates the sun and living waters. It can reproduce with the crested newt which appreciates the same living conditions. This last one has a grey and brown spotted skin, warty like a toad and presents two crests, a caudal and a very crenellated dorsal. Its belly and the inside of its legs are orange. It is found in a line from Lyon to La Rochelle. These two species are listed in Appendix II of the Bern Convention.
The palmate newt has webbed hind legs and can be recognized by its rounded snout and its greenish body spotted with black. Small in size, it does not exceed 9 cm despite its tail extended by a short filament. It is present on all the territory except Corsica and the extreme South-East.
The alpine newt lives in stagnant waters sheltered from the sun, north of a line that extends from Avignon to Saint-Malo. This bluish-gray newt with an orange-brown belly can live at altitude, up to 2500 m. The male does not exceed 8 cm while the female can reach 12 cm in length. During the reproduction period, the male is decorated with bright colors.
