Rare protected amphibian — great crested newt — spotted in a Sēlija garden

A woman named Daina was picking apples in her garden in the Sēlija region when she noticed an unusual creature in the grass. According to her account, the animal was remarkably calm, allowing her to take out her phone and photograph it before it disappeared.

Her discovery sparked considerable interest on social media, where people shared their own experiences and knowledge about the animal. Several commenters said they had never encountered such a creature before, while others noted that it is a beneficial garden visitor that helps control unwanted insects. Some users correctly identified the animal as a newt and pointed out that it is a protected species with extremely delicate skin that should never be touched by hand.

A rare, protected species

The animal in question is the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), a rare amphibian under special protection in Latvia and a member of the salamander family. It can be recognized by its relatively large size (up to 15 cm), dark, bumpy skin on its back, and a bright orange or yellow belly marked with black spots.

In spring and early summer, newts live in ponds and other still bodies of water, where they breed. In the latter half of summer and into autumn, however, they move onto land, seeking out damp, shaded spots. This is the period when they often wander into home gardens, where they prove useful neighbors by feeding on insects, larvae, and slugs.

As winter approaches, great crested newts search for safe shelter to survive the cold season, often choosing sites beneath piles of rocks, wood logs, leaf litter, or rodent burrows. Because the species is threatened by the loss of natural habitats, experts urge people to leave these amphibians undisturbed and untouched, allowing them to move freely through gardens and the wider environment.