I named my pet newt Tiny, Why?
Because he's my newt. Oh dear puns never get old, or so I think. I also think because these fellows are minute therefore they are also very cute!
(I will get a better picture one day!)
The UK have three native species of newts, great crested, smooth and palmate. All part of the salamander family. Which is huge, more than 500 species! Ranging from sizes of 2.7 cm, the
Pygmy salamander, to the 1.8 m Chinese Giant salamander. Back to the newts however they stay in between 9 cm to 17 cm, big enough for the little UK and I believe you can guess which one of the three is the biggest? Yes the great crested newt indeed.
What I didn't know is that newts spend must of their time on land, I've only seen them in water. Although on land they're mainly active during the night which might be why I haven't seen them, another big factor might also be that I haven't looked for them there...
All three species are under protection in the UK, the great crested fully protected, meaning that it prohibits the intentional killing, injuring or taking (capture. etc); possession; intentional disturbance whilst occupying a 'place used for shelter or protection' and destruction of these places; sale, barter. exchange. transporting for sale and advertising to sell or to buy.
This is due to an enormous decline during the last century mainly because, I believe, loss of habitat. Ponds being filled in, chemical pollution, fish being introduced and taking over plus other factors that brings changes primarily to their breeding ground. Which is ponds, research says the perfect pond seems to be between 50 to 250 square meters and partially covered by floating vegetation.
It's there the magic happens, it is there the stork comes and leaves their babies after the very important mating, uh I mean marriage ritual happens. Males can have a few different preferable spots in the pond where it performs, it should be fairly shallow and have little vegetation. Sometimes their spots can be stolen by an imitator, another male pretending to be a female just to lure the male out. Anything goes apparently! Either way it's in that spot where the show begins, swaying and leaning but also tail whipping and fanning so the released sexual pheromone will reach the female. After that it's up to the female to decide. If the show is good enough she will indicate this to the male who will swim just in front of the female and then release jelly like sperm (spermatophore) which then will be picked up by the female and be fertilised internally. The eggs can thereafter be found on various vegetation around the pond, usually around mid April to mid June. Neatly folded by the females with help of their hind legs.
Now I've realised I've gone on quite a bit about these small little creatures, maybe you don't find these as fascinating as me however they are under protection for a reason. As they spend their time moving from water to land they exchange the nutrients from each environment. This helps fertilise the soil for us to grow our beloved vegetables on. Not cattle feed, vegetables! They also, wait for it, eat midges! Which if not contained could do a lot of harm by spreading diseases. If you think global warming and heat, then also think more midges and one less bug eating amphibian could be very missed. So yeah, even if you could argue that frogs and toads do the same thing we can't predict the effect that will occur if we say goodbye to these amazing newts so please can we try and respect their privacy as much as your own?
I sincerely hope that the UK decides to continue the protection of this family after brexit as for now they're under the European protection law. I hope you agree and if you'd like to read more about them please see the links below.
TheConservation
The Hoopoe
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Froglife
The Wildlife Trust
(I will get a better picture one day!)
The UK have three native species of newts, great crested, smooth and palmate. All part of the salamander family. Which is huge, more than 500 species! Ranging from sizes of 2.7 cm, the
Pygmy salamander, to the 1.8 m Chinese Giant salamander. Back to the newts however they stay in between 9 cm to 17 cm, big enough for the little UK and I believe you can guess which one of the three is the biggest? Yes the great crested newt indeed.
What I didn't know is that newts spend must of their time on land, I've only seen them in water. Although on land they're mainly active during the night which might be why I haven't seen them, another big factor might also be that I haven't looked for them there...
All three species are under protection in the UK, the great crested fully protected, meaning that it prohibits the intentional killing, injuring or taking (capture. etc); possession; intentional disturbance whilst occupying a 'place used for shelter or protection' and destruction of these places; sale, barter. exchange. transporting for sale and advertising to sell or to buy.
This is due to an enormous decline during the last century mainly because, I believe, loss of habitat. Ponds being filled in, chemical pollution, fish being introduced and taking over plus other factors that brings changes primarily to their breeding ground. Which is ponds, research says the perfect pond seems to be between 50 to 250 square meters and partially covered by floating vegetation.
It's there the magic happens, it is there the stork comes and leaves their babies after the very important mating, uh I mean marriage ritual happens. Males can have a few different preferable spots in the pond where it performs, it should be fairly shallow and have little vegetation. Sometimes their spots can be stolen by an imitator, another male pretending to be a female just to lure the male out. Anything goes apparently! Either way it's in that spot where the show begins, swaying and leaning but also tail whipping and fanning so the released sexual pheromone will reach the female. After that it's up to the female to decide. If the show is good enough she will indicate this to the male who will swim just in front of the female and then release jelly like sperm (spermatophore) which then will be picked up by the female and be fertilised internally. The eggs can thereafter be found on various vegetation around the pond, usually around mid April to mid June. Neatly folded by the females with help of their hind legs.
Now I've realised I've gone on quite a bit about these small little creatures, maybe you don't find these as fascinating as me however they are under protection for a reason. As they spend their time moving from water to land they exchange the nutrients from each environment. This helps fertilise the soil for us to grow our beloved vegetables on. Not cattle feed, vegetables! They also, wait for it, eat midges! Which if not contained could do a lot of harm by spreading diseases. If you think global warming and heat, then also think more midges and one less bug eating amphibian could be very missed. So yeah, even if you could argue that frogs and toads do the same thing we can't predict the effect that will occur if we say goodbye to these amazing newts so please can we try and respect their privacy as much as your own?
I sincerely hope that the UK decides to continue the protection of this family after brexit as for now they're under the European protection law. I hope you agree and if you'd like to read more about them please see the links below.
TheConservation
The Hoopoe
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Froglife
The Wildlife Trust
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