Raising newts

[JohnJ]

A few weeks ago we found some eggs in our pond. I put them in a small fishtank and they have hatched into baby newts. We have carp and goldfish in the pond and I'm sure that if I put the newts back in the pond they would just get eaten. I've been feeding them on water insects from an old water butt (mosquito lavae I think - little wriggly tailed things). In the last couple of days one or two have started leaving the water and climbing up the side of the tank. I've put a rock in for them to climb onto. The ones that are now out of the water don't seem too keen on going back in and when I pour in the mosquito lavae I think these ones seem to be missing out. Should I just release the ones out of the water into the garden? (As opposed to putting them into the pond). It's only a small garden mainly grass and I'm a bit worried about going over them with the mower! Or can I keep them in the tank until they're big enough not to be eaten by the fish and then put them in the pond?

Thanks

John

[almostnormal]

Originally Posted by JohnJ

A few weeks ago we found some eggs in our pond. I put them in a small fishtank and they have hatched into baby newts. We have carp and goldfish in the pond and I'm sure that if I put the newts back in the pond they would just get eaten. I've been feeding them on water insects from an old water butt (mosquito lavae I think - little wriggly tailed things). In the last couple of days one or two have started leaving the water and climbing up the side of the tank. I've put a rock in for them to climb onto. The ones that are now out of the water don't seem too keen on going back in and when I pour in the mosquito lavae I think these ones seem to be missing out. Should I just release the ones out of the water into the garden? (As opposed to putting them into the pond). It's only a small garden mainly grass and I'm a bit worried about going over them with the mower! Or can I keep them in the tank until they're big enough not to be eaten by the fish and then put them in the pond?

Thanks

John

i'd put them on the grass near to your pond. newts are relativley resilient and will quickly find some where to go. you could try piling up some stones/logs/old grass mowings in a habitat pile near to the pond, giving the newts lots of places to hide and avoid being mown!

[Dogghound]

I would release them in a safe area, possibly not the garden or pond, these emerged newts i take it they have lost their external gills? the frilly bits. it would be hard feeding them on a stone they do require a variety of invertibrates to keep them going, you need to be carful keeping newts in this way and keep the tank fairly clean. Also i presume these newts are smooth newts Triturus vulgaris it is illegal to keep great crested newts Triturus cristatus or even handle them without permission although your not likely to have a riot squad knocking down your front door, just something to consider.