FAQs about newts: dead newts

Newts can be affected by weather, predators and disease (Fred Holmes)

WILDLIFE INFORMATION SERVICE

Frequently Asked Questions about... newts:

I have found dead newts, what's going on?

Depending on the time of year there could be several explanations for why amphibians may be found dead in gardens.

Winter

Newts hibernating in pond edges may succumb to cold weather or noxious gases trapped by ice. This is more common with frogs, who will sometimes hibernate at the bottom of ponds, though newts can also be affected, especially during long periods of cold weather.

Newts, like all UK amphibians may emerge during milder patches of weather to forage' occasionally they can be caught out by a sudden change in weather or be disturbed by a predator.

Spring

It can be common for amphibians to die naturally after breeding has taken place, sometimes in quite large numbers. Breeding requires a great deal of energy and such exertions can leave amphibians lethargic and more open to predation or natural diseases. Animals that are known to prey on breeding amphibians include: foxes, cats, mink, stoats, otters and rats (though frogs and toads are more at risk).

During spring amphibians make migrations to breeding ponds, sometimes moving up to half a mile or more. Roads pose a particular problem in some areas where they interrupt migration routes, and dead amphibians on roads can be a common sight - see our Toads on Roads campaign. Please inform us of sites where you have seen this taking place. This is primarily a problem for toads but newts and frogs can also be affected.

Summer

In particularly hot summers, exposed amphibians can die from dehydration (desiccation). This is a particular threat to young amphibians that have just left the pond. To avoid this happening make sure there is plenty of shade and shelter provided by plants around the edge of the pond.

If you have found dead froglets or newtlets in the pond itself then it's likely that they have been unable to get out of the water. When tadpoles metamorphose they are reliant on breathing air and they are particularly susceptible to drowning at this life-stage. To avoid this happening create gently sloping sides to the pond and areas where its easy for animals (including small mammals who may fall in by accident) to leave the water.

In adult amphibians, diseases can be common at this time of year. If you have found large numbers of dead amphibians (frogs in particular) that are very thin and were lethargic before death, please get in touch and help our research into amphibian diseases.

More information:

Identifying amphibians. >>>

Toads on Roads. >>>

Amphibian diseases. >>>

Dragons in your Garden. >>>