April is the month for amphibians. If you have a pond in your garden or allotment, you might have already observed frogs and toads visiting, but have you seen a newt? They conceal their eggs and can be a little trickier to spot.
Smooth newts
In the UK we have three native newt) which typically reach 4in (10cm) in length and have smooth, velvety brown skin. Males and females have orange-coloured bellies with black spots that extend onto their throats. However, during the breeding season, males develop a striking wavy crest along their back.
