Smooth Newt

The most widespread of the UK newt species, the smooth newt is commonly observed in ponds throughout Britain and Ireland during the breeding season. Ireland’s only native newt species. Adults are grey-brown with yellow/orange bellies with uniform black spots.

• Smooth newt can be requested as an additional species on a GCN kit analysis for an extra £30 (+VAT) per sample.

• Avoid stepping into the water – this can stir up sediment, throwing up sediment DNA and any inhibitory molecules present. Sediment may clog the filter and prevent sufficient volumes of water being filtered.
• As a biosecurity measure to reduce the spread of amphibian diseases, it is important to not reuse any equipment from the kits for different samples to avoid potential contamination between ponds. Please also adhere to other key biosecurity measures when taking samples.