Biology

Palmate newts are very similar in general habits and behaviour to smooth newts. They are crepuscular, with activity peaking at dusk and dawn. This secretive newt (2) spends most of the day in thick aquatic vegetation, coming out into open water only after dark (3). Their diet is very broad, and includes zooplankton, freshwater shrimps and hoglice; when they are on land they eat a wide range of invertebrates, the capture of which is aided by the possession of a sticky tongue (3).