Salamander | An asset for the pond!
The newt is an amphibian found in wetlands in Europe. It is a slender salamander with a brown-black top and an orange belly. They can grow up to 20 centimeters long and have a flat tail that they use for swimming. Newts feed mainly on small aquatic animals such as insects and crustaceans. The small newt does very well in any type of pond. However, there are some rules to make the habitat optimal for the salamander.
All about salamanders
- The ideal pond for the newt in the Netherlands
- How do you get salamanders into your pond?
- What do salamanders eat?
- How does a salamander overwinter in the pond?
- Can a salamander bite?
- Is a salamander poisonous?
5 important tips for an organically clear pond
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The ideal pond for the newt in the Netherlands
The ideal pond for the newt is a shallow, stagnant pond with clear water and lots of aquatic plantsn, think of many riparian plants and oxygen plants. The pond should be at least 120 cm deep and not too large, preferably between 5 and 10 square meters. It is important that the pond slopes gradually, so that the salamander can get in and out of the water easily. There should also be enough hiding places, such as plants, floating material and stones. It is recommended that no pond fish in the pond, as they may eat the eggs and larvae of the newt. Creating a suitable habitat allows the newt to reproduce and thrive in the pond.
How do you get salamanders into your pond?
To attract salamanders to your pond, create a damp shelter near the pond, such as a wood pile or compost pile. This attracts insects and other prey, which in turn can attract salamanders.
If salamanders already live in the area, it is more likely that they will come to your pond. It is important to keep the pond natural and not use chemicals that can be harmful to salamanders, but of course you should keep your pond water clean by adding pond bacteria and enough pond plants to maintain the water values in the pond stable. With the right environment and a little patience, salamanders can naturally come to your pond and find a home there.
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What do newts eat?
You can also lure them by placing food for them in the pond, such as small insects and crustaceans. Just make sure that the food is not given in excess to avoid polluting the pond.
Tip from pond specialist Simon:
Pond plants are the ideal place for salamanders to seek shelter when they feel threatened or it is very cold outside.
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How does a salamander overwinter in the pond?
A newt overwinters underwater in the soil or mud of a pond or ditch. The salamander buries itself so that it is in a sheltered environment and protected from freezing and drying out. Pond plants can provide shelter for the salamander. Prior to winter, the salamander prepares by reducing its food intake and building up its fat reserves. During this period, the salamander may also sometimes change color and adopt a browner hue to better camouflage itself in the soil. When the water temperature begins to drop, the salamander looks for a suitable place to hibernate and burrows itself in. The newt then slows its metabolism and heart rate so it can survive with minimal energy. In early spring, when water temperatures rise, the salamander reappears and begins to resume its normal activities.
Can salamanders bite?
Salamanders can open their mouths wide when they feel cornered. This can scare people, but don't worry, salamanders don't bite. All they can do is give people the impression that they can bite to defend themselves.
Oxygen plants make water attractive to salamanders
Oxygen plants provide the water in the pond with oxygen, therefore a salamander will feel very much at home in a pond with enough oxygen plants. For this reason, always choose pond plants when you want life in the pond. - Simon
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Is a salamander poisonous?
A common salamander, these are the salamanders we know in the Netherlands, are not poisonous. So you don't have to worry about this. However, there are species of salamander that can be poisonous such as the fire salamander and the rough salamander. But these species are not found in the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions about newts
To survive, a newt needs a number of things, including: Water, food, hiding places, clean pond water and a safe habitat without predators so the salamander does not become prey.
The small newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) is a relatively small species of newt. Adults usually grow to be between 6 and 10 centimeters long, with males growing slightly larger than females. The tail of the small newt can be about as long as the body itself.
Simon van der Velde
Pond specialist and aquatic plant grower since 1986
Simon's vision is to let nature do its work in your pond. No need to buy all kinds of measuring equipment and water improvers. If the fish are swimming nicely and the plants are growing well, then the water in the pond is of good quality. With a good planting plan and the right approach, you can save a lot of money and maintenance, and ensure a clear, biologically balanced pond that becomes more beautiful every year.
