breeding season night time excursions
Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: Herpetofauna Native to the UK
Forum Name: Smooth Newt
Forum Description: Forum for all issues concerning Triturus vulgaris
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3558
Printed Date: 16 Apr 2024 at 8:11am
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Topic: breeding season night time excursions
Posted By: Liz Heard
Subject: breeding season night time excursions
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2011 at 6:55pm
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hi RAUKERS,
as usual i had a good look around the ponds last night and as i did, i eyeballed these two male smooths at the edge of my smaller pool; sorry, pic is poor - its honest in situ tho! 
is such breeding season terrestrial activity likely to be in pursuit of food (it wasnt a damp night) or are these wandering males seeking other waterbodies hoping to find mates? they could have come from my other pond. thoughts anyone? 
ben |
Replies:
Posted By: administrator
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2011 at 12:58am
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ben didn't you know 'newt diving' is an Olympic event? They are just getting in some practice! Newts are pretty active at night throughout the breeding season, they often forage on land and wander about to different ponds.
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Posted By: Liz Heard
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2011 at 4:40pm
i expect they put in a good showing in the Synchronised Swimming event too! thanks Gemma. so its primarily food-seeking then. i often see them out and about. hopefully observe one with prey soon! |
Posted By: sussexecology
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2011 at 7:39pm
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Did my first torching survey last night and actually lost count on the number of smooth newts. I know we had about 15 females in one pond! I didn't get any pics because, as usual, I didn't have my camera with me! It was such a mild night though. Gemma, we had to be a bit careful at one point because we had a number of toads foraging on the ground! Bless their little souls! No squashed ones though, I'm pleased to report. |
Posted By: administrator
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2011 at 11:41pm
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Tuddies can be out for other reasons too, the males will
often just sit in open areas waiting for the females, some nights before the bulk of the females turn up I find more males around a pond than in it. Not smart behaviour though if the open area is a road. 
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