Did you know that ponds are havens for a huge range of aquatic invertebrates, amphibians and more? Find out more about how to identify the huge biodiversity of pond life when you next go pond dipping.
Explore the world of extraordinary mini beasts and lurking monsters with this spotter guide that helps you get to know the 11 most common weird and wonderful wildlife that are likely to live in your local pond.
From meat eating predators to stinging scorpions, it’s amazing what you’ll discover when you delve beneath the surface.
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Happy pond exploring!
Illustration: Brin Edwards / WWT
Illustration: Brin Edwards / WWT
Illustration: Brin Edwards / WWT
Illustration: Brin Edwards / WWT
Illustration: Brin Edwards / WWT
Illustration: Brin Edwards / WWT
Illustration: Brin Edwards / WWT
Illustration: Brin Edwards / WWT
Illustration: Brin Edwards / WWT
Although they breed in ponds, amphibians spend much of their time on land. Look for them around the edges of ponds. Tree stumps, stone walls and the foundations and loose brickwork of old buildings all provide good places for them to shelter and hibernate. Young frogs, toads and newts can be found in damp areas around the pond edges where they can hide and find food.
Frog tadpoles are golden speckled and hatch in clumps. Toadlets are black and the spawn is laid in long strings.
Because they mainly feed on amphibians, grass snakes are often found near ponds. Look for them basking in the sun in dry, sunny areas near to the pond. Compost heaps make excellent places for them to incubate their eggs.
Many animals make use of the rich variety of habitats found at the edges of ponds created by the different water depths. You can also find a fantastic array of pond plants including water forget-me-not and yellow flag iris.
The damp and dry pond edge is used by snails, spiders, fast running ground beetles and shore bugs. This is also a favoured feeding ground for many wading birds like moorhen and even small animals like water shrews, catching insects trapped in the mud.
Dragonflies like the southern hawker and the brilliant emerald often lay their eggs in the damp exposed muddy and stony edges of a pond.
Many pond animals use the land around the pond during part of their life cycle. Adult dragonflies roost amongst tall plants and hoverflies emerge from the pond to feed on the nectar of surrounding flowers. The larvae of many water beetles emerge to pupate in damp ground around the pond and then return to the water as adults.
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