Editing Northern crested newt (section)

==Description==

[[File:Kammmolch-Goettingen-02.jpg|thumb|left|alt=side view of a black newt|Side view of a female]]
[[File:TriturusCristatusVue dessous FL2.jpg|thumb|150px|left|alt=Underside of a crested newt from head to lower belly, showing large black blotches on yellow background|The belly is yellow to orange with black, well-defined blotches.]]

The northern crested newt is a relatively large newt species. Males usually reach {{cvt|13.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} total length, while females grow up to {{cvt|16|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Rare individuals of {{cvt|20|cm|in|abbr=on}} have been recorded. Other crested newt species are more stockily built; only the [[Danube crested newt]] (''T. dobrogicus'') is more slender.{{r|1=Sparreboom2014|p1=342|2=JehleThiesmeier2011|p2=12–15}} Body shape is correlated with skeletal build: The northern crested newt has 15 rib-bearing [[vertebrae]], only the Danube crested newt has more (16–17), while the other, more stocky ''Triturus'' species have 14 or less.{{r|WielstraMcCartney-Melstad2019}}

The newts have rough skin, and are dark brown on the back and sides, with black spots and heavy white stippling on the flanks. The female has a yellow line running along the lower tail edge. The throat is mixed yellow–black with fine white stippling, the belly yellow to orange with dark, irregular blotches.{{r|Sparreboom2014|p=342}}

During the aquatic breeding season, males develop crest up to {{cvt|1.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} high, which runs along the back and tail but is interrupted at the tail base. It is heavily indented on the back but smoother on the tail. Also during breeding season, the male's [[cloaca]] swells and it has a blue–white flash running along the sides of the tail. Females do not develop a crest.{{r|1=Sparreboom2014|p1=342|2=JehleThiesmeier2011|p2=12–15}}