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Length: 6-9cm
Distribution: Common all over Great Britain and can also be found in small number in Ireland.
Colouration: Varies but they are normally green-brown with darker patches. The male's throats become bluish during the breeding season.
What to look for: You can tell if the frogs in your DIY pond in a bowl are males because only the males have a hard swelling on their first finger.Males sing a quiet croaking song.
You'll find some information on frog metamorphosis here.
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Length: 8-12cm
Colouration: Green-brown skin
What to look for: Easy to tell from common frogs because they have warty skin and also because, unlike the hopping frog, toads like to walk! Unlike the clump of spawn laid by frogs, toads lay their eggs in long strings. |
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Length: 6-8cm
Distribution: These toads are very endangered, so you are very lucky if one visits your Pond In A Bowl! They like sandy areas best.
What to look for: Flat body with bright yellow stripe down its back. The males are very vocal and sing at night!
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Length: up to 14cm
Distribution: Throughout Britain but very rare and protected by law.
What to look for: Males are very striking with a crest running the length of their backs and an orange belly decorated with black spots. Females are similar in colour but lack the crest.
Notes: These newts lay their eggs in the spring and often stay in the water all year.
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Length: 8-10cm
Distribution: All over. The smooth newt is the only kind of newt living in Ireland.
What to look for: Males have zigzag crest along back, during the breeding season they have orange bellies and a pale spotty throat. Females lack the crest but have a spotty throat.
Notes: You are most likely to find one in your Pond In A Bowl between March and September. During the winter the smooth newt hibernates under logs.
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Length: up to 9cm
Distribution: Throughout Great Britain.
What to look for: Easy to confuse with the smooth newt but does not have a spotted throat. The male has webbed back feet and a yellowish belly. During the breeding season the male tail is very colourful and ends in a hair-like spike.
Notes: Will spend most of the year in water but you might find it hibernating under the stones and logs around your pond between November and March. This newt will feed on visiting insects and frog tadpoles. |
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