One of two Small Newt species found in the county the Smooth or Common newt is found throughout most of Kent.

With a greater tolerance of acidic ponds, it might be expected that the Palmate Newt would be more likely to be found in woodland habitats than the otherwise ecologically similar Smooth Newt.

Interestingly in Kent the distribution of the Palmate Newt is largely associated with ancient woodland, mirroring the historical extent of woodland across the county.

Though female Palmate and Smooth newts can be tricky to distinguish it is a little easier to identify males. The male Palmate Newt develops only a ridge along the length of the back, the Smooth Newt has a much more developed undulating crest. The tail crest of the male Palmate Newt ends abruptly whilst that of the male Smooth Newt is tapering. Palmate Newt males also have a characteristic filament at the end of the tail and develop black fringes to the toes of the hind feet in the breeding season.