Palmate Newt
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Lissotriton helveticus
Common & localized in scattered places throughout the country between April-September.
Males can be distinguished from Females by the larger and darker-coloured cloaca.
During the aquatic breeding season, the cloaca swells, and other sexual differences develop: Males grow a low, smooth skin seam (a crest) on their back, which is higher on the tail.
Their tail has a blunt end with a distinct, 4–7 mm long filament.
They also have ridges (dorso-lateral ridges) running along their sides, giving them an angular, square shape in cross-section, and their hind feet have well-developed, dark webbing.
The lower half of the tail is blue in breeding Males and orange in Females.