Wednesday 8 May 2013

Ravishing beast found in King Copse's nature area....

Last week some children from Year 4 had the oppurtunity to do some pond dipping as part of their 'Habitats' topic in Science.
What was found, was far from expected! A strange creature with bright and colourful markings that, in any other part of nature, would indicate poison, danger, risk of harm and certain doom!

However, some of the children were not scared of a little thing called "certain doom" and braved the wrath, no... the ferocity of this strange yet beautiful creature.

Can anyone guess what it is from the picture? Why it is so brightly coloured?  Will it eat the children of Year 4? If not, what does this 'thing' eat?

Perhaps you could find out and find this creatures place in the nature areas food chain?

I'm still trying to work out how to post a video here so watch this space and receive a running commentary by one of our children of what the experience was like for her?

4 comments:

  1. After a lot of research I have found out that it is a male Smooth Newt and fortunately it will not eat any of the Year 4 children instead it eats invertebrates either on land or in water and frog tadpoles if you would like to find out more use the link below.

    http://www.arc-trust.org/animals/smooth_newt.php

    Amy Year 6

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  2. I think it is a smooth newt. I also found out that they eat frog tadpoles. Millie

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  3. Wow, you learn something new everyday day! I never knew that! Amazing work girls and thank you.

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  4. The bright colouring is due to the fact that he wants to attract female newts. These are his breeding colours. They come back to the pond each year to breed. Later in the summer you will find them in the wildlife area sometimes under the metal sheet which the slow worms also enjoys. Wildlife Club helper

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