Palmate newts eat small invertebrates: worms, slugs, insects and their larvae on land, and water fleas, tadpoles and aquatic insects in the water. They hunt mostly at night and are small, shy amphibians found in Britain and western Europe.
What They Eat on Land
Outside the breeding season, palmate newts live in damp woodland, heath and gardens. They eat earthworms, slugs, small snails, beetles, woodlice, spiders and insect larvae. They forage under logs, stones and leaf litter.
What They Eat in the Water
In spring, adults move to ponds to breed. There they feed on water fleas, mosquito larvae, small aquatic insects, tadpoles and other tiny creatures. Larvae eat very small plankton and grow into larger prey as they develop.
How They Hunt
- They are ambush predators that wait for movement.
- They rely on smell and sight, and pounce on live prey.
- Most feeding happens at dusk and during the night.
Helping Newts in Your Garden
- Create a small wildlife pond with shallow edges and native plants.
- Leave log piles and rockeries for shelter.
- Avoid slug pellets and pesticides, which poison newts and their food.
- Do not move wild newts or take them from ponds; in some places they are legally protected.
Keeping Newts as Pets
Check local laws first, since many wild newts are protected. Captive newts eat live or frozen foods like bloodworms, blackworms and earthworms. Wild-caught animals should not be taken from the wild. For a related species, see what great crested newts eat.
Bottom Line
Palmate newts eat worms, slugs and insects on land and tiny aquatic animals in ponds. Provide pond and cover habitat in your garden to support them.
