Bin day find

[guitarpete247]

Today is bin day and as I pulled out the bin to take it up to the road I saw this little fella.
I think it's a Smooth Newt. Does anyone know if it is or what it is if it isn't? I thought it was a lizard at first then thought better as it is too cold and where it was was too damp. It was under a bush in damp leaves just where you's expect to find a smooth newt this time of year.

 

[Paulus]

Today is bin day and as I pulled out the bin to take it up to the road I saw this little fella. [attachment=781:Lizard 1.jpg]
I think it's a Smooth Newt. Does anyone know if it is or what it is if it isn't? I thought it was a lizard at first then thought better as it is too cold and where it was was too damp. It was under a bush in damp leaves just where you's expect to find a smooth newt this time of year.

Yes, it is a smooth newt, probably a female. Like all amphibians, they live in damp places and only go into pond to breed.

 

[HLaB]

It must be photoshopped if you had found a kitten we may have believed you

 

[fossyant]

That was a bit like "Where's Wally" finding the Newt in that shot !!!

 

[astrocan]

I think it's a snail.

It's the stripy shell that gives it away.

There is also a lion in the bottom left corner.

 

[guitarpete247]

I know . I cropped the picture and it went all pixilated so left it the original size. Yes there is a snail in the shot as well but the newt is in the middle believe me.
I only spotted it when it started to move. They are well camoflagued .

 

[rich p]

I think it's an unborn kangaroo but I'm no expert

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I think it's an unborn kangaroo but I'm no expert

unborn kangaroo!

 

[rich p]

unborn kangaroo!

Hmmmmm, unlikely in Leicestershire. I take your point, 3BM.
I was kidding

 

[Yellow Fang]

I thought it might have been a stick insect.

 

[laurence]

tis a newt.

lizards are scaly and have longer, slender fingers and toes.

baby common lizards are very dark, almost black, when born and then turn to a copper brown colour. incredibly cute wee thigs

they are also quite cheeky

and sometimes a bit of a handful for the parent

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Nice pics laurence.

Wasn't aware of smooth newts till now. I have common newts in my pond where they breed successfully. Have been hoping that crested ones will turn up. How might I encourage such (assuming there are some locally that is).

 

[Paulus]

Nice pics laurence.

Wasn't aware of smooth newts till now. I have common newts in my pond where they breed successfully. Have been hoping that crested ones will turn up. How might I encourage such (assuming there are some locally that is).

Male smooth newts grow a crest in the mating season, although it's not on the scale of a great crested.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...a=X&ei=E6GGTN3NDozG4gb-uZ3SBA&ved=0CBwQ9QEwAA

This is a great crested.
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...a=X&ei=jaGGTKX3GpTR4wbxhpzjAw&ved=0CBwQ9QEwAA

 

[rich p]

not a baby kangarro then

 

[threebikesmcginty]

not a baby kangarro then

No, born or unborn - your non-expert status is confirmed!