Fully aquatic native newts/salamander native

[Red_Dragon]

I have a small pond in my garden. I live in a built up area and my garden is within a block of houses forming a circular barrier to any wildlife. The pond was built in November. I introduced a load of aquatic creepy crawlies to the pond by getting a bottle full of water and mud from a local pond and just pouring it all into my pond. It’s now full of aquatic woodlice, huge snails, leaches, all different types of beetles and loads of copepods.

I’d like to introduce a native type of fully aquatic Salamander or newt. I live in south Wales, Merthyr Tydfil.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[GCN lova]

there are no fully aquatic newts or salamanders native to the uk and moving amphibians to another pond may bring deadly diseases to your pond. newts should come by their own accord unless sometimes their eggs are obtained with plants. for newts to thrive their should be lush vegetation in and around the pond and also clear water.

[Red_Dragon]

ok. thank you. I guess I'll have to find somthing else to live in there

[Matt Smith]

Originally Posted by Red_Dragon

ok. thank you. I guess I'll have to find somthing else to live in there

Don't get anything from the petshop either, it is an offence to release non-native species into the wild in the UK.

[King Edward]

It sounds like you have a lot in the pond already. It's unfortunate that you're blocked in by houses - is it pretty solid or are there gaps where wildlife could potentially get through? If there are frogs/newts in the area then they may yet manage to find a way in.

I wouldn't see any problem with introducing a small amount of frogspawn /tadpoles next spring, if there is enough to spare in a local pond (best not to move things from too far away). Just so long as you have sufficient terrestrial habitat in/around your garden for any resulting frogs to disperse into.

[GCN lova]

yes i think sometimes the problem is that people release tadpoles from nearby but the garden does not have any suitable terrestrial habitat. thick bushes, boggy areas and log piles will attract insects which the frogs will feed on but ive seen them use sheds and open unused compost heaps. even a group of pots or a bushy plants near the pond will be allright as long as it can house all of the amphibians.