Alpine Newt in Surrey?

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   Photos look fine for Alpine Newt to me. Not sure about the larva. They aren't closely related to any of our native newts, so hybridisation isn't going to be an issue.

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PondDragon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 Jul 2013 Status: Offline Points: 55	Post Options Post Reply Quote PondDragon Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2017 at 8:41am
	Photos look fine for Alpine Newt to me. Not sure about the larva. They aren't closely related to any of our native newts, so hybridisation isn't going to be an issue.

will Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1805	Post Options Post Reply Quote will Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2017 at 9:25am
	+1 for alpine newt both the adult and larva (larvae typically have this greyish appearance and more blotched pattern than smooth or palmate). You're not far from known populations of alpine newt eg Newdigate in Surrey. Well worth letting SARG know, as has been said.

Caleb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Status: Offline Points: 655	Post Options Post Reply Quote Caleb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2017 at 12:23pm
	Another difference with alpine larvae is that their tail fin is much blunter than smooth/palmate larvae; more of sudden ending with alpines versus a gradual tapering with smooth/palmate. So another vote for alpine from me. The main worry with alpines in the UK is that they can be an asymptomatic carrier of chytrid.

MTem Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 17 Aug 2017 Location: Surrey UK Status: Offline Points: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote MTem Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 18 Aug 2017 at 4:52pm
	Thanks All, Reported to SARG and it seems most likely it/they came from Beam Brook (about a mile north along the lane) back in the 30's when it was an exotic reptile/amphibian breeding centre. Seems there might be quite a range of exotics in the undergrowth around here! And clearly they've been here a while so unlikely to die out or be easily extirpated even if you wanted to. Well I will keep an eye out for adults - I had already placed 3 corrugated tin sheets down with logs on top around the new pond for the mice/voles so I will check these now and again. Any advice on this and other places to check for adults?