The Italian Crested Newt
Triturus carnifex

In both sexes the colour of the spine varies from blackish-grey to olive-brown and blackish-brown with several darker spots on the underside which are irregularly distributed. The throat is blackish or blackish-brown with whitish spots, whereas the stomach area varies from yellow to orange-red with numerous blackish-brown or blackish spots each different in shape, length and distribution.
The male, especially during the breeding season, has a conspicuous notched crest on its spine, and a whitish line often suffused with light-blue and hints of mother of pearl on the sides of the tail. Usually the females do not have a crest which, like in subadults, is characterised by a line on the back and above the tail varying in colour from a light greenish-yellow to yellow or orange-yellow.
Between the end of February and the beginning of March the newts abandon their winter shelters and go towards the water where breeding will take place.
Males reach the water a few days earlier than the females and start looking for a suitable site for mating straightaway.
In this way small groups are formed, each one made up of several males ready to conquer the females.
The mating ritual is demanding and spectacular.
When a female approaches the male appears before her and bends its body to form a hump.
Then it exhibits itself by waving backwards and forwards in order to display its majestic crest.
Through regular movements of its tail it emits smelling substances towards the female as well as lashing at her with its tail every now and again.