Newt Eating Frog Spawn (photo)

By Words | Published March 12, 2011

More frogspawn has appeared in the pond. A few photos from tonight's pond-watch, beginning with the spawn itself.

The newts are swarming all over the spawn… even under the noses of a pair of frogs who are busy creating more for them to feast on.

The newts adopt a variety of techniques, all of which include a needlessly slow approach. The spawn is not going anywhere in a hurry. Some approach from beneath, some bury themselves into the mass of eggs, and some climb over the top of the sticky food mound.

The final movement is rapid, a sudden dart forward, a body twist and away with the prized egg. This is the moment of capture.

Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.

This entry was posted in frog, frog spawn, Newt and tagged , , .

16 Comments

  1. CedarFox March 12, 2011 at 3:03 am #

    It's like an all you can eat buffet, except there's only one thing on the menu :yuck:
    At least you know it's fresh. 😉

  2. RobinL March 12, 2011 at 6:03 am #

    Words, great shots! Those newts would be huge if they ate all that pile of eggs! Good thing the frog lay lots!

  3. gdare March 12, 2011 at 5:03 pm #

    Originally posted by CedarFox:

    At least you know it's fresh.

    😆 :chef:

  4. Words March 12, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    Originally posted by CedarFox:

    It's like an all you can eat buffet

    LOL! But yes, it's just like that… eat, relax, go back for more.

  5. Words March 12, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    Erwin, I hope spring really is arriving now. It's milder than it's been for a while and next week should be good.

  6. Words March 12, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    Robin, thanks! Very few of the tadpoles will become frogs. As they hatch they also run the risk of gulls sweeping them up. But some always survive 🙂

  7. Words March 12, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    Darko, 😀

  8. Dudley March 12, 2011 at 9:03 pm #

    Great series

  9. Words March 12, 2011 at 9:03 pm #

    Thanks Andy!

  10. cakkleberrylane March 13, 2011 at 5:03 pm #

    Wonderful post! Very interesting narrative describing the newt "capturing" its food!

  11. anonymous March 15, 2011 at 9:03 pm #

    TBR writes:

    Super final shot Words – perfect timing!
    Our (palmate) newts are so dominant in the pond, that the frogs don't even bother to breed in the pond! We have at least twenty palmates and this year, just one occasional frog!
    TBR

  12. SittingFox March 16, 2011 at 8:03 am #

    Tiny amphibian stalking hapless prey :rip: Fascinating. It is indeed amazing that any frogs make it to adulthood!

  13. Words March 16, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    Doug, that's interesting that the frogs have just given up. Our pond is teeming with newts, but I think the low frog numbers are more to do with the winter freeze. Can't be sure though, so will have to wait until next year to see if there's a pattern emerging.

  14. Words March 16, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    Adele, what seems so silly is that the frogs sit 'on guard' and just watch the newts feasting away their brood. They have it so nearly right, but so, so wrong.

  15. Words March 16, 2011 at 6:03 pm #

    Lois, thanks! They're great to watch. So careful, so precise…. and then GULP!

  16. Wulpen October 19, 2012 at 8:10 pm #

    Spring Is on the way….