Great crested newts are not restricted to ponds but use the whole landscape at various times of the year. They are reliant on fresh water ponds or ditches to breed and lay eggs in the spring and summer months but for the majority of the year they reside on land in habitats such as woodland, grassland, gardens and rely on hedgerows and other connective habitats to travel around. Great crested newts can be found as far as 500m away from their breeding ponds but the majority will be within 200m of suitable pond. Having high quality habitat between ponds and hibernation sites is vital for the long-term survival of the species.