can you identify this animal?

[pantuffle]

I went to a quarry today and saw this animal in the water. it came to the surface of the water to breath. Does anyone know what this animal is? we were thinking it could be a lizard, but after watching it walking on land we don't think it is.

[Darby]

Maybe with some more details -

- where is the quarry?

- how big were they?

- did they have colors or markings not obvious in the photo?

[biohazard]

The tail looks flattened from the side, suggesting that it is some aquatic animal (as opposed to, say, some terrestial lizard just swimmign around). I would go for some kind of an amphibian, such as newt. However, based on the shadow made by the creature it appears to lack webbing in its feet, which is suppose should be present in newts.

Anyway, I'm fairly certain it is an amphibian of some sort. Like Darby said, some additional information might be useful. For example, when on land did its skin appear "slimy" or "dry or scaly"? :)

[Hobble]

How was it walking on land to cause you to rethink your "lizard" hypothesis?

It is almost undoubtedly an amphibian, but that is obviously not specific enough

[pantuffle]

thanks for your replies to our question the quarry is in the peak district in england. we assume the animals were between 5-20 cm in length, their skin was slimy when they were on land and had a leopard-like pattern. the larger the animals were the darker their skin. they didn't have webbing in their feeds (can't upload more pictures unfortunately) and their tail was flattened

[Darby]

Sounds like newts, which usually do not have webbed feet.

Try this, about halfway down - the smooth newt-

http://www.overthegardengate.net/wildlife/frogs.asp

[biohazard]

Sounds like newts, which usually do not have webbed feet.

Yeah, you are correct. My bad!

[JackBean]

I don't know, but the body looks quite wide...

[biohazard]

I don't know, but the body looks quite wide...

Yeah i does, but maybe it is well-fed :)

Or maybe it is carrying spawn or something. But I really cannot imagine any other animal than newt that this could be. Salamanders are stocky for sure, but that does not look like one and the pic was taken in England anyway...

[pantuffle]

thanks again for all your replies
_at_ Darby: i checked the link you posted. it seems to be a smooth newt