Amphibians: encouraging into your garden

Britain has two native frogs, two toads, and three species of newts.

• Of these, the common frog and common toad are likely to be found in gardens throughout Britain
• The common or smooth newt and the palmate newt are also widely distributed
• Some garden ponds may have the scarce and protected great crested newt, while some gardens, especially in south east England, may have non-native green marsh frogs
• The natterjack toad and the pool frog are unlikely to occur in gardens

These animals feed on a wide range of insects, spiders and other small invertebrate animals, including some garden pests.

• Although the adults and juveniles do most of their feeding on land, all of these amphibians must have still water, such as a pond, in which they will mate and lay eggs
• The eggs hatch into tadpoles that initially feed on algae. Later they feed on insects that have fallen in the water and are also predatory on other pond life. The tadpoles gradually develop legs and, in the case of frogs and toads, lose their tails, and become small frogs, toads or newts

These beneficial garden creatures can be helped by providing a pond where the tadpoles can develop.

• At least one side of the pool should gradually slope up to dry land, this enables the young amphibians to leave the water once the tadpole stage is over
• If the pond has steep sides a ramp covered in chicken wire in one corner can help
• Small amphibians can be predated by birds and other predators, growing plants around the pool will provide some cover
• When in the pond, frogs and toads need a point above the water on which to rest and breathe. In the summer a water lily pad may suffice but a more permanent solution is to position a few rocks or logs half in and half out of the water if there are no suitable areas of shallow water

Newts are probably the most aquatic of British amphibians. Attract them by allowing grass to grow over the pond edge into the water and introducing non-invasive submerged aquatic plants. Newts use narrow-leaved water plants on which to lay their eggs, placing each egg between a folded leaf.
 
In the autumn, amphibians seek sheltered places away from ponds where they hibernate until the following spring.

• Log piles provide good shelters. Frogs, toads and newts will also find suitable places in hedge bottoms, compost heaps and under stones
• They will also hibernate in the bottom of ponds
• Allow new ponds to become colonised naturally by amphibians that are likely to be already present in the area, rather than transferring spawn or tadpoles

Transferring spawn or tadpoles from other ponds runs the risk of spreading diseases, such as red leg disease of frogs, or introducing invasive pond weeds that can quickly choke the pond with vegetation

To avoid disturbing amphibians, especially in the hibernation period, ponds should not be cleaned out unless this is really necessary

Have you seen any sick or dead amphibians or other wildlife in your garden? Register and report it on the Garden Wildlife Health website

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