A Newt question... (1 Viewer)

Tim100 · Jun 15, 2005

While there a often newts in our pond I sometimes find small sandy coloured ones in the garden.

I found two today which were quite stiff/dry so put them in the pond. However, while they could swim one quickly sunk to the bottom and didnt move.

I fished them both out put them on the earth and they walked to safety and seemed happier.

Any ideas what they are? Are they different to the newts in the pond?

David FG · Jun 15, 2005

Contrary to popular belief, newts are not particularly aquatic outside the breeding season, and spend their time lurking amongst plants and so on, sometimes considerable distances from water.

I think your land-based newts are the same as the ones that were presumably using the pond to breed in.

Tim100 · Jun 17, 2005

David FG said:
Contrary to popular belief, newts are not particularly aquatic outside the breeding season, and spend their time lurking amongst plants and so on, sometimes considerable distances from water.

I think your land-based newts are the same as the ones that were presumably using the pond to breed in.

Thanks David! I'll leave them alone next time!

Jacana · Jun 17, 2005

they will be the same species, the smooth newt lissotriton vulgaris vulgaris there is a possiblity that they are palmate newts lissotriton helveticus but they are smooth newts in all probability

Keithec · Jun 21, 2005

Tim100 said:
While there a often newts in our pond I sometimes find small sandy coloured ones in the garden.

I found two today which were quite stiff/dry so put them in the pond. However, while they could swim one quickly sunk to the bottom and didnt move.

I fished them both out put them on the earth and they walked to safety and seemed happier.

Any ideas what they are? Are they different to the newts in the pond?

They are almost certainly the same species, the ones you found on land were the non breeding individuals. From your description they sound like smooth newts. I was fascinated by the newts in my local village pond when I was a child and your description of putting them in the pond then taking them out is very familiar!!

Keith

A Newt question... (1 Viewer)

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