Slightly smaller but no less spectacular than the other British newt species, the alpine newt has a grey, black or brown upper body with a very vivid, unspotted red or yellow belly. Breeding males grow a shallow, straight crest usually barred or spotted with black.
We know of at least four colonies in and around Edinburgh one of which was only discovered in the summer of 2008, but the populations appear to be doing very well. In fact it appears to be more common within the city boundary than the native great crested newt. The alpine newt is most definitely not a native species in Scotland but is perfectly well suited to our climate and the habitat available to it. How they got here remains something of a mystery. They live alongside our native species and do not seem to be a threat to them. In other words this not a grey squirrel versus red situation. With that in mind, LARG’s policy is to accept them as a beautiful and interesting addition to our herpetofauna and to simply let them be.

 

If you know of any Alpine newts running wild in the countryside of the Lothians please let us know using the online form on the contact us page.