found a newt

janette jones · #1 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 05:30 PM

Hi,
I am new to this website, it looks fascinating already !!
Please can somebody help! my son found a newt in our river, brown, maybe 2 inches long. We have a large pond, river and woodland and we have seen few newts and lots of other creatures and we always just watch them, however this time the kids want to keep him! he is now in a fish tank with elaborate rock, stick, grass, river water home! he has a name and i don't want to upset the kids by putting him back straight away, would like them to learn about him for a few days before we give him up ! what should we be putting in for food, etc.... any advice will be greatly appreciated, many thanks, janette.( and Newton ! )

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 05:37 PM

My serious advice would be to put it back, if the kids want to learn about newts and other pond creatures go to the ponds and look at them there. Keeping wildlife like this is cruel it is stressful and opens up to the risk of disease and infection if not housed properly also feeding is not easy. If the kids want a pet like this get a salamander from your local pet store these are similar but captive.

Kayleigh · #3 (**permalink**) 01-08-2009, 05:43 PM

Hi and welcome to wab...

But I think the kids should learn not to keep wild animals as pets therefore put him back as soon as possible and educate them as the newt will find his own food in the wild and will probably die if not released as it might not feed in captivity, teach the kids wildlife should be just that..

Sorry but that's my view