Smooth Newt

My pond is crammed with smooth newts this year. Hard so say how many due to the amount of pond weed for them to hide in, but having counted 20 separate newts, over 50 is not unreasonable.

After some poor results photographing through the surface, I fished a few out and took some snaps in an old fish tank. Results are quite OK. Must repeat with more realistic foreground, background and making sure threads of algae don't go in the tank.

male smooth newt though the pond surface amongst the water soldiers

male in the tank




male in display pose


Only under close viewing did I notice that the female has strange extensions to her yaws at the sides - don't have a clue what the function of these are.


female smooth newt