How To Create A Newt Habitat For Exotic Garden Wildlife

A newt habitat is a perfect chance to get acquainted with some highly engaging and intriguing creatures. Newts are a kind of salamander, distinguished by their semi-aquatic lifestyle. These small amphibians spend part of their lives on land, and part in the water. 

While there are over 100 species of newts living in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia, they metamorphose in the same way. They start life as larvae living in water like freshwater ponds, marshes or small lakes. They move to land for their juvenile stage (when they are termed efts) and stay on land as adults, returning to water only to breed.

Newt populations are in trouble in many regions. This is primarily a result of habitat loss, with pollution a close second. You can help mosquito-munching newts thrive in your yard if you create a newt habitat. It’s not difficult to put in a newt pond, an essential part of a newt habitat setup. I’ve had one for years, and can testify that it doesn’t require much effort to keep these amphibians happy!

Essentials for Creating a Newt Habitat

For newts to live and thrive, they need a proper newt habitat. This will necessarily include a small, freshwater pond or marsh. The terrestrial area is where newts live as they grow older. It should be rich in cover, including cultivated ground cover. There should also be yard detritus like fallen leaves and brush piles for your newts.

The best habit for newts will have shelter. They spend a good part of their lives on land, but the best habitat for newts includes moist, decaying logs and stumps. They visit this sheltered area when they are hiding from predators or need protection from the elements.

How to Create a Newt Habitat

Many gardeners might need to add a water element if they want to attract newts to garden areas. This can (but need not) be a large body of water. You can either hire a contractor or dig your own pond. Vary the depth of your pond or water feature, so some areas are deeper than others. If you use a liner, cover it with mud (organic, not fertilized topsoil) and dead leaves to provide cover for the newts.

Making Sure Newts Are Safe and Happy

Newts consume aquatic insects, such as mosquitos. This generally is not a problem, since anyone who adds a pond to their backyard is likely to have mosquitos. Be sure not to use any toxic or chemical sprays that could get into the water and kill the newts.

I have had a backyard pond for years. These amphibian friendly environments are great for attracting newts, salamanders, frogs, dragonfly larva, toads and snakes in the water. However, take care with wood. Early on, I added a piece of wood for a bridge and sunning area. I put in cut lumber that had been pre-treated. The next morning, I woke to find many dead amphibians. It was a sad moment, but a good lesson. Use natural wood and look out for anything that might have been sprayed or treated. 

Another danger for newts is the domestic cat. Cats may be wonderful pets indoors, but outdoors they can be killing machines. They prey on birds, but can also kill amphibians. Don’t let your cat roam outdoors.  

Also, don’t get too deeply involved in the newt’s personal lives. Once my young daughter spotted a newt that appeared to be acting aggressively toward a smaller newt. I stepped in and chased it away. I later learned that this was a ritual mating dance, not an act of amphibian bullying.

Choose The Right Plants For a Newt Habitat

Native plants are best for all forms of wildlife, and this includes newts. The plants that typically grow wild in your area will attract the native insects that the newts are used to consuming. For an effective newt habitat setup, one tip I found helpful is to take out the lawn. Lawns have no value when it comes to wildlife habitat. Instead, put in native grasses which not only help amphibians, but also birds, small mammals and even deer.

Which Visitors Come To a Newt Habitat

The types of newts your newt habitat will attract depends on where you live. But wherever, there are likely to be other visitors as well. In my backyard pond in France, we regularly get tadpoles, young toads, young collar snakes and dragonfly larva. Most of these creatures are carnivorous and eat mosquitos, too! The snakes also eat tadpoles and young newts, but you have to let nature take its course.

Frequently Asked Questions