| Newts are a type of amphibian that look a lot | | | | population that won't be damaged by |
| like salamanders. However, unlike | | | | predation. Another danger that can kill |
| salamanders, newts spend most or all of their | | | | stocked or native newts is the pump of a |
| life in the water. They are descended from | | | | small pond. If you have a smaller pond which |
| salamanders, but branched off around sixty | | | | requires a pump for circulation, newts can be |
| million years ago. Now, they're found in many | | | | sucked into the pump and killed. Even if you |
| temperate parts of the world, including Asia, | | | | use wire mesh, these pumps can kill very |
| Northern Africa, Europe, and North America. | | | | small newts. You can solve this problem by |
| Some types have a terrestrial form (referred | | | | using an ultra fine mesh, or by placing your |
| to as an eft), that lives on land to find a | | | | pump underneath a weighted upside down pot |
| new home, then come back to the water when | | | | with a hole cut in it. Remember to use mesh |
| mature. Newts are popular among pond owners. | | | | over this hole as well. These methods will |
| They're charming, cute little creatures in | | | | cut down on the number of newts you lose, and |
| their own right. However, having a population | | | | on unpleasant filter cleaning. Newts can live |
| of newts also means that your pond is very | | | | in fairly shallow ponds, and prefer slopes |
| healthy, since these creatures have somewhat | | | | with lots of plants. High density weeds will |
| specific living requirements. If you're | | | | encourage them. A good environment for newts |
| thinking about colonizing your pond with | | | | will help you develop a breeding population |
| newts, or setting it up to attract these | | | | that will stand up to even predatory fish and |
| little creatures, here's some information | | | | birds. While tadpoles and young newts may |
| that might help. Newts are often food for | | | | fall prey, a pond that can support them will |
| other creatures. This means that having newts | | | | encourage their numbers to increase. Expect |
| might draw some impressive looking birds to | | | | to see baby newts around April and May, if |
| your pond, but it also means you'll have to | | | | your animals are breeding. You can either |
| pay attention to what's living in and around | | | | make your pond suitable for the local species |
| it if you want to keep your newt population | | | | of newt that you'd like to attract (specific |
| alive. Carnivorous fish often pick off these | | | | conditions vary by species) or purchase newts |
| little lizard-like creatures, making it hard | | | | and stock your pond. The second is more |
| to keep the population up. As well, if there | | | | expensive, but also gives you a better chance |
| are any ducks frequenting your pond, they may | | | | of seeing these animals live and grow in your |
| eat the vegetation your newts are laying | | | | waters. |
| their eggs in, giving them no place to breed. | | | | |
| This doesn't mean you have to chase off all | | | | Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who |
| predatory birds or remove newt-eating fish | | | | represents a number of UK businesses. For |
| from your pond. It does mean that it's a good | | | | pond maintenance, he recommends Seapets, one |
| idea to try to provide habitat and other | | | | of the UK's of pond supplier specialists. |
| conditions that encourage a thriving | | | | |