There are three native Newt species in the UK: smooth, palmate, and great crested. Smooth Newts are the most widespread species across the country. Most active around dusk and dawn, feeding on a wide variety of aquatic invertebrates they can be found in ponds in parks as well as back gardens. Newts are much faster in the water, with paddle-like tails to help them move quickly but make them tricky to spot.