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What are these beautiful chaps? |
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caseyk
New Member Joined: 09 Sep 2014 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Posted: 09 Sep 2014 at 6:06pm |
Hi, Whilst demolishing an old coal bunker I found these two beautiful creatures. How they managed to escape the skip and the bricks I don’t know. I put them in a quiet area of the garden after taking the photos. Very grateful if anyone can tell me what they are. Thanks, |
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caseyk
New Member Joined: 09 Sep 2014 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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More photos:
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Suzy
Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1447 |
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Lovely! They're newts, possibly great cresteds - but someone more newt-wise will likely post and tell you exactly what they are.
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Suz
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will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
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I'd say smooth newts Lissotriton vulgaris, when they are not in the water the skin becomes a lovely velvety texture, as shown in your photo. You did the right thing with them, and hopefully they will turn up to breed in the nearest suitable pond next spring!
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Suzy
Senior Member Joined: 06 Apr 2005 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1447 |
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I did think they weren't grainy enough looking on their skin, but was fooled by their dark colour!
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Suz
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caseyk
New Member Joined: 09 Sep 2014 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Fantastic, many thanks to all! I will be keeping an eye out for more now.
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GemmaJF
Admin Group Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Essex Status: Offline Points: 4359 |
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I'm with Will smooth newts, a male and a female. The one with the large dark blotches on the belly is a male, the other female.
Will wouldn't have seen the new pictures of the bellies when he posted, so excellent ID work from him based on just the first picture
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will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
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thanks Gemma - more evidence (as if needed) of my sad and lonely misspent youth..
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