Found newt in pond help

[lillieflower]

ok im normally over in the shelled section but ive just cleaned my pond out cleaned filters removed leaves etc and i found a small newt, was probably 2 inches from head to tal, brown speckled in colour but had a tomatoe coloured tummy? i have left it in the pond as i dont want to disturb it, is it illegal to keep these? i know nothing about newts at all there are a couple of goldfish in the pond, its only small but there are lots of frogs. i really dont know what to do for the best

[lillieflower]

ps its tail was flat if this helps?

[marcuswinner1]

Sounds like a little male smooth newt, i would say if its in there of its own accord then leave him to it. If you wanted it as a new pet i think thats fine as long as its not a great crested. Ive got some smooth newts, they have got quite tame now and beg for food when i take the lid off their tank.

[lillieflower]

how do i tell which type it is? i wish i had taken a pic! i think if he is there of his own accord then its becuase he wants to be there so dont think it would be fair for me to put him in a tank especially since having a pond to live in, its not a koi pond like my dad has (huge square thing with crystal clear water) although it is clean after being cleaned out but htere are lots of lillies and rocks in the bottom plus lots of little hidey holes i wouldnt be able to replicate this in a tank so i think ill leave him be thanks for the advice though! i also found so many frogs some had orange lines down their back, no idea what type they are, others were huge and were stuck in pairs probably getting ready to mate? i have only had the pond 6 months so am really pleased its got all this wildlife in

[marcuswinner1]

Yeah thats really good going to get frogs and newts so quickly, well done! smooth newts are smaller and smoother than great cresteds and the one you have found sounds quite small. palmate newts are more difficult to tell apart from smooths. i have mine in a tank cos my garden pond is full of big goldfish so they wouldnt last long in mine! if your pond is newt friendly, then yeah leave him to it, if theres more in there you may have some babies later in the year! good luck.

[lillieflower]

aw thanks marcus i didnt see any others but who knows one could be hiding, hopefully if this little guy finds it ok to live there some more will come! the frogs are amazing too they are already mating and are not scared at all, i can sit on the floor next to the pond and they come up and stick their head out as though there watching me as much as im watching them! i do love the pond ive only got 2 goldfish in which are about 3-4 inches long i wanted it to be more a natural pond, my dad keeps huge japanese koi so he wouldnt last long in his pond! but i like my own little one thanks again for the advice x

[millie_moo]

i have lots of these in my pond, i left my pond for nature tho, only been in 2 years and its already a breeding ground for them! i think its cause i feed them!

[Alaina]

Ahh... That time of year again

[lillieflower]

ooo millie what do you feed them? i put the occassional lot of blood worm in is that good for newts?