Swollen abdomen

[steve]

i have a crested newt in the garden pond with what seems to be a swollen abdomen, it struggles to get down under the water as though it has air trapped. is this possible or is it something a bit more sinister. any info would be appreciated. Steve

 

[william]

i'm afraid you can't do anything, do not disturb it, it is illegal to even pick these up, with a fine of up to £2000 per newt i've read. i was given a female common newt a month or two back with a similar problem which cleared up within a week.

 

[steve]

Thanks for the info. My newts came from a quarry that was being filled for building so they are now in a safe home.I will watch and wait on the poorly newt. Thanks again..Steve

 

[william]

wait on it but don't touch it or disturb it in anyway.

i'm suprised that they are filling in a quarry that has crested newts in it!

are you sure it is a crested newt (triturus cristatus), and not a common (lissotriton vulgaris) or palmate newt (lissotriton helveticus)

have a look at these pictures to make sure you've got the right species

palmate newt
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Triturus/T_helveticus.shtml

common newt
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Triturus/T_vulgaris.shtml

crested newt
http://www.caudata.org/cc/species/Triturus/Triturus_sp.shtml

 

[steve]

A Big sorry all round its a smooth newt.I,m only human you know.Either way its still a poorly newt.

 

[william]

okay, at least you can check it, is it female or male? if it has a rest then it is male. it could just be full of eggs if it is a female, but if it isn't then it could be the same thing as my newt had, and if so it should be fine soon. just let nature take it's course.