Male Smooth Newt
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Comments & Identifications
How do you tell these guys apart from Palmate Newts?
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identotron?observation_id=68629#place=7382&taxon=64375
Hi Loarie, the way in which to differentiate is generally that male Smooth newts in the breeding season will have raised, serrated crests down the entire length of the body, with no tail filament, Male Palmates have smooth-edged crests on the tail with the tail filament, and strongly-webbed hind feet.
Both Sooth & Pamlate Newts have orange coloured bellies but Palmate Newts have pink chins with no markings whereas the Smooths will generally have orange/yellow chins with spots on - a nice easy way to differentiate between the females who lack the crests.
Got it - and this guy clearly has a nice tail crest and no filament - thanks!
Cheers! It's actually much more obvious when they are in the water, as you'll know they tend to droop when they are not in the water.
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