Smooth newt  (Triturus vulgaris)

This newt is, with the common frog (Rana temporaria), Britain's most widespread amphibian. It occurs throughout England, Scotland and Wales, but becomes less frequent to the north and west (5). Elsewhere, it is found throughout much of Europe, but absent from northern Scandinavia, parts of Russia and the Ukraine, and most of the southwest including Spain, Portugal, southern France and Italy (4). It is the only newt in Ireland (3). There are thought to be 7 subspecies in Europe, but the nominate race (Triturus vulgaris) occurs in Britain and Ireland (5).

Often found in garden ponds, particularly where there are no fish, but lives in a range of habitats, including ditches and pools with a lot of submerged vegetation (5). Unlike many other amphibians, the habitat surrounding the water body does not seem to be very important (5).