Herping in Sweden part 2; Newt "hunting"

[Rotto]

Me and some friends went out to look for some Triturus cristatus (northern crested newt) a few days ago. Its their mating season now, and the only time of the year that you can find them with certainty.

Not only did we find both males and females, we found both sexes of the other newt sp. occuring in Sweden, Triturus (Lissotriton) vulgaris (however Triturus cristatus is far more sensitive and uncommon), a common toad; Bufo bufo and a frog, of which we where not able to determine the speices.

Since it was dark most of the pics are not focused and some are blurry... but the newts are only active when its dark.

Scenery

Scenery

The pond in question

Male Triturus cristatus

Male Triturus cristatus

Male Triturus (Lissotriton) vulgaris

Triturus cristatus and Triturus (Lissotriton) vulgaris, comparison

Female Triturus (Lissotriton) vulgaris

Female Triturus cristatus

Yearling Bufo bufo

Nasty water-scorpion bug...

Unknown frog

Female Triturus cristatus, on her way to the pond

Hope you enjoy.

BR
Rickard

 

[GeckoFiend]

Awesome. The crested complex of newts are among my favorite herps. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Ken Bartenfeld]

Love the scenery!

 

[Joe Farah]

Awesome!
Thanks for sharing

 

[neep_neep]

Nice photos! Sweden is such a beautiful country, I visited Abisko last summer.

Some very familiar faces to the UK there also - the unknown frog looks like Rana temporaria.