Pond Newts

[cordwell]

My first posting of this reply seems to have vanished, so apologies if it appears twice!

The pump is a "wild life friendly" Pond Mate 4000. I went back to the place where I bought it and the manager said he always got these complaints in the spring and that the pump suction was insufficient to cause a problem with healthy animals. I wrote to the manufacturer but have had no reply.

I must admit that the suction at the pump casing seems very low to catch anything. I am wondering whether it is more to do with the design of the slits in the casing - if a newt inadvertently puts its back legs or tail through the slits, does it have difficulty getting them out again, even with the pump switched off? Certainly I had difficulty freeing them - including one which was still alive.

I have recently reinstated the pump in the pond after sevral weeks without it. I am monitoring it several times a day - so far nothing has been caught.

[m1.carson]

Hi,

Posted this before, but not too keen on tights, they still died on it, not too sure if their claws can get tangled in the mesh.

Max.

[gazlukas]

I too thought newts were not for sale , but a pet shop in Scunthorpe is selling them , anyway what about re-locating newts , as i have loads of breeding pairs , when we bought the house 20 yrs ago there was a wildlife pond , i moved it 20 feet , and i am still over run with newts , is it legal to transfer some into an established wild life pond ? if so , is anybody wanting some

[Jez]

I'm not sure if British Newts can be sold in shops?! But I have seen similar looking Californian Newts being sold in shops!

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by gazlukas

I too thought newts were not for sale , but a pet shop in Scunthorpe is selling them , anyway what about re-locating newts , as i have loads of breeding pairs , when we bought the house 20 yrs ago there was a wildlife pond , i moved it 20 feet , and i am still over run with newts , is it legal to transfer some into an established wild life pond ? if so , is anybody wanting some

I think newts are protected so you will have to contact someone like frog life for advice.

[dampflippers]

Hi gazlucas,
It is illegal to sell or trade any native newts- smooth, palmate or smooth.
Smooth and palmate can be given away.

You shouldn't release any into the wild without the agreement of the landowner- may introduce disease or the "wrong" kind of newt for that area.
If you have surplus, you could ask your local countryside officer or wildlife trust if they have any new ponds in need of newts.

If you have great crested newts in your garden pond, you can't move them without a licence.
What sort have you got?

It's legal to sell exotic newts as pets, but they must not be introduced into the wild, or even into your garden pond.