I saw a newt eat a newtpole :o

[N0z]

Hey i was at a pond yesterday at night and i saw a female newt eat a newtpole, not sure if it was palmate or smooth but i have never seen this before, have anyone else on the forum ?

Thanks

[Dogghound]

Yes, this is very common newt behaviour, great crested newts in particular predate other newt larvae. Newts also all feed on frog tadpoles too. From a newts perspective amphibian larvae are not very mobile, occur in large numbers and are easy to catch. You often find that common frogs avoid established ponds with newt populations within them for this very reason.

[GCN lova]

i haven't seen this behaviour myself but i know newts will eat almost anything that can fit in their mouths

[N0z]

wow i was expecting this to be a one of and will newts or frog take toadlets that will be jumping round the garden at this time of year ?

[Dogghound]

They will avoid toadlets as they are distastful also great crested newt efts are avoided as they are also distastful as they mature and become more terrestrial. Smooth newt, palmate newt and common frog juveniles are often pray upon by other amphibians and pretty much everything else once they emerge. Toadlets will be preyed upon by spiders, birds, small mammals, reptiles and a variety of other creatures so its not all easy going for them.

[N0z]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

They will avoid toadlets as they are distastful also great crested newt efts are avoided as they are also distastful as they mature and become more terrestrial. Smooth newt, palmate newt and common frog juveniles are often pray upon by other amphibians and pretty much everything else once they emerge. Toadlets will be preyed upon by spiders, birds, small mammals, reptiles and a variety of other creatures so its not all easy going for them.

Thanks for that info , i love this forum people are always there to help <3

[King Edward]

I have seen Great Crested Newt larvae eating the smaller larvae of Smooth Newts. Newts will also eat the eggs of other newts.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by King Edward

I Newts will also eat the eggs of other newts.

And frogspawn

[GCN lova]

common toad adults are probably as ferocious hunters as GCNs taking smaller amphibians, newts and lizards as well as invertebrates. plus they eat fledglings if they are small enough.

[N0z]

Originally Posted by GCN lova

common toad adults are probably as ferocious hunters as GCNs taking smaller amphibians, newts and lizards as well as invertebrates. plus they eat fledglings if they are small enough.

whats a fledgling ?