Newt in the Pond!

[jaelen]

I know it's not unusual, but we were thrilled today to discover a small newt in our pond... we didn't know it was in there.

I'm not sure what the tadpoles will make of it- I've read on here that newts will eat tadpoles? They are all a good size now, and turning into froglets so I'm presuming they are too large for the newt to eat, (it's not very big- about 4-5 inches).

We were going to clean out the pond once the tadpoles had matured and moved out- I'll have to be extra careful now that I know he's in there. (It's filthy- honestly! We only moved here last December, and as far as I know it's NEVER been cleaned out and is about 12 inches deep in debris... it's more swamp than pond, really- and it whiffs like one. )

Not a job I'm looking forward to.

[GCN lova]

congratulations. newts will feed on tadpoles but only great crested newts can eat toad tadpoles because they taste horrible. could you get a picture so we can id it?

[jaelen]

No, I've only managed to spot him twice- he pops up for air and then dives back down into all the leaves and twigs at the bottom. He's not very big, and I think the tadpoles are a safe enough size that they should be ok... they're well on the way to being frogs now.

I've had a look at the species of newts native to Britain, and I'm pretty sure it must be a smooth... certainly not crested.

If I get the chance I'll try and get a photo, though.

[Mark_b]

It's normally best to clear out a pond in Autumn or Winter when you are causing the least disturbance to the ponds fauna, although I appreceite it is nicer to do it in the summer.

Any debris / plant material you take out should really be left next to the waters edge for at least 24 hours to allow any creatures to crawl back in.

[galanthophile]

Very exciting for you! They are wonderful creatures so worth looking after him.

[jaelen]

Originally Posted by Mark_b

It's normally best to clear out a pond in Autumn or Winter when you are causing the least disturbance to the ponds fauna, although I appreceite it is nicer to do it in the summer.

Any debris / plant material you take out should really be left next to the waters edge for at least 24 hours to allow any creatures to crawl back in.

Yes, I probably will wait until summer is over to give everything in it time to grow and move out- although the remaining tads seem content to just laze about - they are quite big tadpoles and I'm wondering if they are going to be toads.

Aside from that, this pond's fauna is pretty tough stuff- they're under an old wizened apple tree that's been dropping gnarled green apples in it every year for about a decade, where it all then ferments... I think all the little critters are really swimming in cider! They won't crawl back in- they'll stagger.

That's probably why my remaining tadpoles are reluctant to leave- they're too sloshed to evolve.

[GCN lova]

My grandparents old fish pond is shaded by trees but newts visit. it has TONNES of wiggly wormy stuff that newts can feed on!

The size of the tadpoles dont really make a difference to which species they are (when talking about native ones) but green frog tadpoles are slightly bigger ive heard (?) If they are jet black, rounded with a rounded ended transparent/whiteish tail (except for the black line) they're toad tadpoles but if they are a muddy brown green colour with a traingular edged tail they'll be frog tadpoles. Toad tadpoles will also swim together.

[N0z]

Originally Posted by jaelen

Yes, I probably will wait until summer is over to give everything in it time to grow and move out- although the remaining tads seem content to just laze about - they are quite big tadpoles and I'm wondering if they are going to be toads.

Aside from that, this pond's fauna is pretty tough stuff- they're under an old wizened apple tree that's been dropping gnarled green apples in it every year for about a decade, where it all then ferments... I think all the little critters are really swimming in cider! They won't crawl back in- they'll stagger.

That's probably why my remaining tadpoles are reluctant to leave- they're too sloshed to evolve.

lol and here is how i learnt to tell the difference between frog and toad tadpoles
Frog- Tadpoles
Toad- Toadpoles

[jaelen]

Thanks for those links- what a great series of photos!

Now I'm pretty sure that the ones left in my pond are toads.

[N0z]

Originally Posted by jaelen

Thanks for those links- what a great series of photos!

Now I'm pretty sure that the ones left in my pond are toads.

its all good and i thank pressld2 for putting them threads on the forum and good to hear, i actually have a load of toad tadpoles/toadlets in my pond right now too