We have 5 native amphibian species in Leicestershire and Rutland, plus two that are introduced (Marsh Frog and Alpine Newt). Our native species are only found in water as adults during the short breeding season in Spring, they then move onto land for the remainder of the year. Male newts change their appearance at breeding time, which helps with identification (the images below are all breeding males), but at other times they are more difficult to distinguish.
You can help amphibians by installing a garden pond - build it and they will come! Even a small pond in a washing up bowl is often enough to attract Common Frogs.
Common Frog
This is our most common amphibian and can be found breeding in even very small water bodies.
How to ID: Green/yellow/brown. Smooth, slimy skin. Dark 'mask' behind the eyes. Jumps not walks.
Where to see it: Ponds, ditches, canals, lakes.
Similar species: The Common Toad is a similar size but this has warty skin and orange eyes.
Common Toad
Toads generally prefer to breed in larger water bodies, but may occasionally be found in garden ponds.
How to ID: Brown, warty and dry skin. Orange eyes. Walks not jumps!
Where to see it: Ponds, canals, lakes.
Similar species: The Common Frog is a similar size but this has smooth, slimy skin and jumps rather than walks.
Marsh Frog
This is Europe's largest frog. It isn't native to Britain but was introduced into Kent in the 1930's and has been spreading. It is more tied to water than our other amphibians. It is now illegal to release them into the wild.
How to ID: Olive to bright green, often with a light green-yellow line down the back and a ridge down each side of the body.
Where to see it: Only known from a few sites in North East Leicestershire.
Similar species: Larger than the Common Frog and lacking the dark 'mask' behind the eyes usually seen on this species.
Smooth Newt
Our commonest newt and the species most likely to colonise garden ponds. Adults only visit ponds for a few weeks during the breeding season, then move onto land for the rest of the year. They hibernate underground.
How to ID: Grey-brown with an orange belly covered in black spots all over. Breeding males have a smooth crest running the full length of their body and tail.
Where to see it: Ponds, canals, lakes.
Similar species: Great Crested Newts are larger with warty skin. Palmate Newts are smaller with pinkish unspotted throats.
Great Crested Newt
Britain's largest and most threatened newt. Though nationally rare and protected, the midlands is their stronghold.
How to ID: To 16cm. Dark brown and warty. Underside orange with black markings. Breeding males have a large crest on the body but which doesn't continue over the tail, with a silver streak near the tail. Females always have an orange line on the tail.
Where to see it: Large ponds with abundant weed and no fish.
Similar species: Other newts.
Palmate Newt
Our smallest newt. It favours shallow pools on acid soil.
How to ID: Peachy-yellow underneath with a pink, unspotted throat. Breeding males develop black webs on their feet and have a thin filament at the end of the tail. Females are difficult to distinguish from Smooth Newts.
Where to see it: Shallow upland ponds, mainly in Charnwood.
Similar species: The Smooth Newt.
Alpine Newt
Not native to the UK, but released from captivity and now established in a few areas.
How to ID: To 11cm. Brown, green or grey, sometimes with a marbled pattern. The belly is orange-red and unspotted. Dark spots along the sides and tail. Breeding males have a low, smooth, yellowish crest.
Where to see it: Ponds (established in the Knighton area of Leicester).
Similar species: Other newts.
