Found a newt, can I keep it?

[flobadob]

I found a newt today while playing golf and took it home to show my son. Now he is asking if we can keep it and look after it. Is this possible our should I release it back?

[heathfield]

It's illegal to even handle a Great Crested Newt without a licence. Other UK newts are protected too, but only to the extent that buying or selling isn't allowed.

http://www.wildaboutg...amphibians/newts.aspx

[snags]

Do you have a pond? If not, return it to where you found it.

[mrs_overall]

Make sure you handle it with wet hands. If your hands are dry they can cause burns to its skin.


Free the Newt!

[paddywak]

we've had a GCN in our pond since last year, we dont know how he arrived I can only assume some spawn hitched a lift with a bird that stopped over for a drink. We often seeing swimming about or basking in the shallows and he seems happy enough thnough Trish would like to find him a girl friend.

[flobadob]

I'm in Ireland and apparently only the smooth newt lives here. Also from reading about them I know it was a female as she had a line down each side of her back. Regardless, she's back home new, just where I found her.

[chaptazbru]

You know it makes sense .....

[jomifl]

You did the right thing old chap congrats. jolly good show.

[flobadob]

It was so cool. Maybe I should get an iguana.