Amphibian Consultants

We are amphibian consultants with experience in surveying for most amphibian species. All our staff have experience in surveying techniques, habitat recognition and the handling of amphibians.

General Amphibian Information.

There are three native newt species, the great crested newt, the smooth (or common) newt and the palmate newt, one species of frog, the common frog and two species of toad, the common toad and the natterjack toad.

The great crested newt is a European Protected Species and is dealt with separately.

The Natterjack toad is very rare and inhabits a few coastal dunes and salt marshes and it inhabits inland heaths. It is also a European Protected Species and is therefore fully protected under all element of Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and Regulation 39 of the Habitats Regulations 1994.

The remaining amphibian species are protected by Section 9(5) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which protects them from sale, transporting or advertising for sale

All amphibians have a similar life cycle although timing can vary from one species to another. They all return to their breeding ponds in early spring to breed. All lay eggs which develop into tadpoles or efts. Once the adultss have bred they leave the ponds and are terrestrial for the rest of their annual cycle. The young leave the breeding ponds later in the summer once they have matured and lost their gills. All hibernate undergroundaway from frosts during the winter.

Amphibian surveys are generally carried out in spring when the amphibians are in their breeding ponds. At this time, they are concentrated together and easier to locate. Terrestrial amphibian surveys are possible but the amphibians are much harder to locate when in their terrestrial phase and a negative terrestrial amphibian survey result is always suspect.