History and origin
The Common newt was first described by Linnaeus in 1758, the scientific name of this species is Lissotriton vulgaris, formally Triturus vulgaris. Triturus is from Greek and is composed of two words, the first coming from Greek Mythologies as being the sea guardian. The second meaning 'tail'. vulgaris is from Latin and means 'common'. Lissotriton is Latin and means 'smooth' and 'newt'.

Characteristics
They are characterised by their spotted underside. The males during the breeding season have both crests joined that form one.

Description
=Size=
- Eggs: The eggs are about 1.3 to 1.8 mm in diameter, laid in individual balls of about 3 to 4 mm in diameter.
- Larva: The larva measure about 6 to 10 mm long when they hatch. They can grow up to about 40 mm long.
- Juveniles: The young measure between 22 to 40 mm long.
- Adults: The males usually measure between 70 and 90 mm long. The females measure between 65 and 90 mm long (max. 120 mm long).
=Morphology=
- Eggs: The eggs are laid individual balls fixed onto leaves. About 250 eggs are laid per females per year.
- Larva: They are very short, their tail is very small, they have external gills.
- Adults: This is a slim Newt, their head is square shaped. Their skin is smooth and they lack paratoid glands. Their tail is thin and their limbs are quite long, the hind limbs of the males has webbing. In the aquatic phase, males have a very tall body and tail crest which are both connected and forms one crest. This crest is slightly wavy. Females have a very small tail crest. In the terrestrial phase, the crests decline and become unnoticeable. Their skin becomes dry, rough and impervious.
=Patterns & colours=
- Eggs: They are light light brown in colour. The egg is encased in a transparent ball.
- Larva: They are dark brown, their tail is lighter and scattered with brown. The external gills are reddish.
- Adult: In the aquatic phase, the males are usually light brown or greyish with many dark distinct spots along the body. The males crest has the same appearance as their body, however the lower tail crest is usually light blue with orange markings and black spots. Females are very uniform being light brown, olive colour sometimes greenish. During the terrestrial phase, they are very dark and in many cases, completely black. Females may have a light line in the middle of the back.

Geographical range
They are found all over central, eastern, northern and southeastern Europe . They are also found in Italy. They mainly lack from the Iberian peninsula, southern France and southern Italy.

Subspecies
- ampelensis - They are found in Romania.
- borealis - They are found in Sweden.
- dalmaticus - They are found in Montenegro.
- graecus - They are found in Greece, Albania, Bulgaria...
- meridionalis - They are found in Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia...
- schreiberi - They are found in northern Dalmatina
- tataiensis - They are found in Hungary.
- vulgaris - They are found over most of the range (central Europe).

Sexual differences
Females are larger and more robust then males. Females lack a body crest during the aquatic phase. Males have hind feet webbing. Other differences were described in 'Description'.

Seasonal variations
As they enter terrestrial phase, the crests decline. They become very dark in colour.

Diet
They feed on a large proportion of crustaceans, insects, amphibian eggs, they even sometimes feed on their own eggs, larva eat invertebrates.

Defensive habits
If they are held, they may emit a squeak and secrete a liquid from their skin. In the aquatic phase they flee to heavily vegetated areas of the pond.

Reproduction
They migrate to the reproduction sites as early as February. If a temporary pond dries, they may breed twice. This newt performs what is know as 'parading', this consists of the male scenting a smell emitted by a female, the male then places himself perpendicularly to her and brings his tail back towards his head and vibrates it (see video). This vibration generates a small current which sends the males pheromones towards the female. If the female likes the male, she will move towards him, as he turns away, she follows him. When the female gently touches the males tail, he produces a spermatophore which he lays on the bottom of the water. The female moves on top of this, the male comes around perpendicularly to the female and adjusts her position for her to be able to intake the sperm. A female may lay up to 300 eggs per year, these eggs are laid one by one, individually.

Sexual maturity, life span
The average life span for Lissotriton vulgaris is about 20 years, they reach their sexual maturity in about two to three years.

Habits
They are active during the night in their terrestrial phase, however they may be seen by day in the breeding season and in rainy conditions. They may be found up to 500 m away from the water. They can hibernate on land or in the water (usually on land).

Habitat
They are found to up to 1000 m in altitude. They are very tolerant and can be found in any pond or water hole and in any surrounding habitat in their terrestrial phase.

Predators
Both larva and adults are hinted by dragonfly larva, insects and fish. They are also hunted by large newts such as Triturus cristatus. Many birds also feed on this species.