(Great or Northern) Crested Newt
Triturus cristatus
The northern crested newt, great crested newt or warty newt is a newt species native to Great Britain, northern and central continental Europe and parts of Western Siberia. It is a large newt, with females growing up to 16 cm (6.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_crested_newt
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Amphibia
Order
Caudata
Family
Salamandridae
Genus
Triturus
(Great or Northern) Crested Newt belongs to the family Salamandridae, order Caudata, within the Amphibia class.
Species Profile
The northern crested newt, great crested newt or warty newt is a newt species native to Great Britain, northern and central continental Europe and parts of Western Siberia. It is a large newt, with females growing up to 16 cm (6.3 in) long. Its back and sides are dark brown, while the belly is yellow to orange with dark blotches. During the breeding season, males develop a conspicuous jagged crest on their back and tail.
The Great Crested Newt faces significant population declines across its range due to widespread habitat loss and degradation of its specialized breeding ponds. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and pollution have eliminated many of the clean, fish-free ponds essential for successful reproduction, while habitat fragmentation isolates remaining populations and reduces genetic diversity.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Occupies a dual habitat system requiring clean, fish-free ponds, lakes, or ditches for breeding, along with adjacent terrestrial habitats including deciduous woodlands, hedgerows, rough grassland, and scrubland for foraging and overwintering. Adults typically remain within 500 meters of breeding ponds but may disperse up to 1 kilometer across suitable terrestrial corridors.
Threats
Agricultural intensification and pesticide use
Pond habitat loss and degradation
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Habitat fragmentation and population isolation
Water pollution and eutrophication
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (VU).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | VUVulnerable | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). (Great or Northern) Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/great-or-northern-crested-newt