How To Encourage Newts Into Your Garden
Newts are fascinating creatures that can bring a lot of life to a garden. Watching them swim and hunt for food can be a great pastime for people of all ages. If you’d like to attract newts to your garden, there are a few things you can do to help encourage them to visit and make your garden their new home.
Provide a Source of Water
Newts need a source of water to lay their eggs and for adults to hunt for food. A pond is the best option for this, but you can also create a shallow water source like a small pool or pond liner. Make sure that the water is shaded so that it stays cool, as newts prefer cooler temperatures. You should also make sure that the water is no more than 20 cm deep and that there are plenty of rocks, logs, or vegetation to provide them with hiding spots.
Create a Refuge
Newts also need a place to take shelter from predators and the elements. A good refuge should include plenty of logs, rocks, tall grass, and other natural features for them to hide in. You should also make sure that the area has good drainage and is sheltered from predators like cats and dogs.
Introduce Other Species
Newts are notorious for being picky eaters. While they will hunt for food such as worms, insects, and other small creatures, they don’t always have an easy time finding them. Introducing other species such as frogs, toads, snakes, and water beetles can help encourage newts to stick around.
Provide a Variety of Food Sources
Newts like to eat a variety of small creatures, so it’s important to provide them with a good selection of food sources. This can include worms, insects, snails, and even small fish. You should also make sure that the food is easily accessible and that it’s not too difficult for the newts to catch.
Limit Predators
Predators like cats and dogs can be a major threat to newts, so it’s important to limit their access to your garden. You can do this by keeping your garden well-maintained, as long grass and overgrown shrubs provide cover for predators. You should also make sure that you keep an eye out for any predators that may be lurking in your garden.
Can You Keep Newts as Pets?
It’s not recommended to keep newts as pets. They require specialized care and are best kept in their natural environment. Keeping them in captivity can be very difficult, and it’s important that they have plenty of space to swim, hunt, and hide.