History and origin
The Great crested newt was first described by Laurenti in 1768, the scientific name of this species is Triturus cristatus. 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'. Cristatus is from Latin and means 'crest'.

Characteristics
They are characterised by the males very large crest, their rough skin and covered with white openings which can be used as a key in identification between this species and Triturus carnifex.

Description
=Size=
- Eggs: The eggs are about 1.8 to 2 mm in diameter, laid in individual balls of about 3 to 4 mm in diameter.
- Larva: The larva measure about 10 to 12 mm long when they hatch.
- Juveniles: The young measure between 50 to 80 mm long.
- Adults: The males usually measure between 115 and 140 mm long. The females measure between 120 and 145 mm long (max. 160 mm long).
=Morphology=
- Eggs: The eggs are laid individual balls fixed onto leaves. 200 to 400 eggs are laid per females per year.
- Larva: They have a long thin tail, they have external gills.
- Adults: They are svelte, a large squared head. Their skin is quite rough (contrary to Triturus carnifex). Their limbs are short and robust (contrary to Triturus carnifex). Their fingers are very long and slim. In the aquatic phase, males have a tall body and tail crests, the body crest having irregular spikes, these two crest are distinctly separated. Females lack crests in both phases but have a quite tall tail. In the terrestrial phase, the crests decline and become unnoticeable. Their skin becomes dry, rough and impervious. They, like all true newts lack paratoid glands.
=Patterns & colours=
- Eggs: They are light yellow, sometimes white or light green. They are uniform in colour. The egg is encased in a transparent ball.
- Larva: When they are young, they are very lightly coloured (usually yellow). Their tail is clear with a series of small dark spots, these spots are also found on the body. Their external gills may also be very light. As they grow older, their coloration becomes darker (brown, greyish...) they have many dark spots along the body and tail, their underside is light and their flanks may be bluish. Their external gills become reddish.
- Adult: They are usually dark brown covered with dark round black spots. Their rough skin is covered with white dots which are on the small wart like openings. Their tail crest is the same dark colour as the body. Their head is usually dark speckled with very light irregular spots and lines. Their underbody is light yellow. 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 generally in the northern half of Europe, southern limits are: central France, Switzerland, Austria and northern Romania.

Subspecies
None described.

Sexual differences
Females are larger and more robust then males. Males have a larger cloacae. Males have a slimmer tail.

Seasonal variations
As they enter terrestrial phase, the crests decline. Males retain a trace of their crests. They become very dark in colour.

Diet
They feed mainly on invertebrates such as spiders, water insects... They sometimes feed on smaller newts. They also eat insect larva. The larva eat water insects, mainly water fleas.

Defensive habits
If they are caught whilst they are in terrestrial phase, they throw themselves onto their back, close their eyes and maintain that posture for about 10 seconds. If they are held, they may emit a squeak and secrete a liquid from their skin. They may bite. In the aquatic phase they flee to heavily vegetated areas of the pond.

Reproduction
The breeding season starts just after hibernation when the specimens first enter the water (end of February), the male will swim in front of a female, arcing his back like a cat, he makes his tail vibrate in the direction of the female. In most cases, the female then allows him to mount her, then he lifts his tail exposing his cloacae. He then moves away and the female follows him. If the female then touches his tail with her head, the male 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 between 200 to 400 eggs per year, these eggs are laid one by one, individually.

Sexual maturity, life span
The average life span for Triturus cristatus is about 10 years, they reach their sexual maturity in about three to four years.

Habits
They are active at night. In summer they are often seen at the waters surface floating in the sun, this may be due to a lower oxygen level in the water (cause of the sun heat). They may be found up to 800 m away from their pond. They may hibernate on land or in the water. Males are very territorial and defend parts of the ponds bottom where there is no vegetation.

Habitat
They are found to up to 1100 m in altitude. Their terrestrial habitat is usually made up of wood rich areas, bushes and ditches near their reproduction sites. Their aquatic habitat is made of a stagnant water hole. They prefer large water areas. These water holes do not have fish, this species also avoids too deep and shaded ponds. They may be found in a slow moving isolated places along rivers.

Predators
They are hunted by birds, but also eaten by snakes (Natrix). The larva are eaten by insect larva and fish.