What Animals Live In A Garden Pond? (You Will Be Amazed!)
Garden ponds host an array of weird and wonderful creatures and are (much to my initial surprise) quite complex ecosystems to many different animal species such as birds, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and of course fish.
You may have decided to develop your pond into a wildlife pond in which case it will hopefully be full of life however even if you have a standard garden pond mainly for aesthetic appeal it is still more than likely to be home to multiple different animals.
In this article we will explore what animals might be living in your pond and most importantly how you can identify each animal.
Animals that could be living in your pond include;
Fish
Fish are perhaps the most obvious type of animal to find in your garden pond. However, as fish cannot fly or generally just get up on two legs and walk to your pond you probably put them there or inherited them from the previous pond owner.
In the UK goldfish or koi are the most common types of fish to find in ponds and are usually kept for ornamental reasons.
Your pond fish will naturally find things to eat in their environment such as algae, pond plants or even other fish however depending on the size of your pond and fish population you may need to supplement their diet with pellet food.
Other common fish found in garden ponds include;
- Carp
- Golden Orfe
- Fathead minnow
- Catfish
If you are noticing that your pond fish are disappearing, we have an in-depth guide on pond predators.
Invertebrates / Insects
There are so many invertebrates and insects that you can find living in your pond we could probably write a book on the subject, so we have condensed it down to just the most common ones found in the UK.
Dragonflies
Dragonflies are four winged insects with huge eyes that are a common sight zipping around ponds in the UK. Dragonflies have incredibly good vision, so much so it is thought dragonflies can anticipate their preys’ movements thus making them effective hunters.
Dragonflies are freshwater insects but also have a lot of predators which make pond plants an ideal place to hideout as well as to lay and hatch their eggs.
If you see dragonflies, you may also see other flying invertebrates living in your pond such as Damselfly or Alderfly as well as their young larvae or nymphs.
Young larvae and nymphs typically prey on other insects and tadpoles living in your pond before finally maturing (gaining wings) and leaving your pond.
Water Boatmen / Backswimmers
Water boatmen are brown with four legs, the back two are longer and are used for swimming whilst the front two legs are typically shorter and are used for eating. Water boatmen are approximately 10 to 18mm in size and will spend most of their time living at the bottom of your pond.
Water boatmen hunt using their limbs like oars (hence the name) to swim about just under the surface of your pond waiting for animals to land on the surface (usually flying insects) so that they can snatch and eat them. Water boatmen can also “dive” down into your pond if they feel threatened by a predator whilst hunting.
Female water boatmen will usually lay their eggs on plant stems or underneath the algae in your pond.
Pond Skaters
Pond skaters do as their name suggests, skate around on the surface of your pond waiting to feed on other small insects by feeling the vibrations on the waters surface.
Pond skaters are a brownish black colour with long legs and will typically be found on the surface of your pond. They prefer fresh water and a wetland habitat, which makes your pond an ideal home for a pond skater.
Pond skaters are also very widespread throughout the UK so there is a very high chance you will find a pond skater in your pond at some point.
Water Snails
Water snails are a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to ponds. Water snails typically diet on algae and plant foliage so can be useful for keeping your pond algae in check. However, if your pond has low levels of algae or a rapidly growing snail population your pond plants may eventually be overwhelmed and unable to recover.
Water snails look similar in many ways to land snails however one key difference is their shells. Water snails have a flat coiled or spiral looking shell which looks a bit like a Swiss roll. Water snails are also able to breathe under water and do not have much need to surface regularly.
Water Scorpions
Water scorpions are a common animal found in ponds throughout the UK and can typically be seen in December or January. Water scorpions prefer still water and are not particularly good swimmers, therefore you will likely find walking and hunting around the shallow sides of a garden pond.
Water scorpions typically hunt by hiding under dead plant matter at the bottom of your pond waiting for small fish or tadpoles to swim by. Water scorpions will then use their front two pincer legs to catch unsuspecting prey.
Despite the name water scorpions are not actually true scorpions but due to their appearance have a similar name. Water scorpions are a darkish brown colour with tow front pincers and a long back tail. They also have a flat almost leaf shaped body.
Female water scorpions will typically lay their eggs in the spring underneath pond algae or plants.
Other types of invertebrates and insects found in garden ponds include;
- Leeches
- Worms
- Water beetles
- Diving beetle
- Water bug
- Freshwater mussels
Amphibians and Reptiles
Unlike other places in the world the UK does not have an abundance of native or wild amphibian or reptile species. Therefore, you are likely to only see grass snakes, toads, newts, and frogs living in your pond.
Grass Snakes
Grass snakes are excellent swimmers and may well use your pond to hunt or as a freshwater drinking source. If you are to find a grass snake you will likely find one amongst the foliage on the banks around your pond rather then in it unless you are lucky and get to see one swimming along the surface.
Grass snakes are only really found in English or Welsh wetlands or grasslands in the UK. They can be identified by their greenish grey colouring with a distinctive yellow and black collar with black markings down their sides. Grass snakes are also very long (up to one meter in some cases).
Toads
Toads are more commonly found away from water except when mating. After mating the female toad will then lay her eggs on waterweeds which in turn once hatched will become tadpoles. Therefore, you are far more likely to see tadpoles living in your pond then toads themselves.
Toads have a dark brown, grey, and green coloured walty skin with a short squat body. Toads are more likely to walk then hop unlike a frog.
Frogs
Frogs are common visitors to garden ponds throughout the UK and will typically feast on slugs and snails and other invertebrates. Unlike toads’ frogs don’t only use your pond for breeding, they will also hibernate in and around your pond either in the mud or under a pile of logs.
The main use for your pond however is for breeding, usually in the spring. Frogs will lay their eggs in large clumps called spawn into your pond and once hatched will turn into tadpoles.
Frogs can come in many different colours but will most commonly have green, brown and yellow smooth skin. Frogs tend not to walk, preferring to hop and jump instead.
If you can’t identify a toad or frog from their shape or skin, then by watching how they move can be a great way to identify which ones which. In other words, if it hops its probably a frog and if it walks its probably a toad.
Newts
Newts are widespread throughout the UK and much like other amphibians will use your pond for breeding. There are 3 species of newts in the UK, Smooth newt, Great crested newt, and Palmate newt.
Newts breed between March and June which is slightly later then frogs and toads. Female newts lay eggs amongst plant matter in your pond and once hatched juveniles will mature in your pond until late summer / early autumn when they will then leave and migrate to land.
Newts typically prey on tadpoles or invertebrates. You will quite often find that your pond over the years will either become a frog pond or a newt pond depending on the size of the populations.
Due to the different species of newts in the UK you will likely see a range of colourings depending on the species you have found. All newts however have 4 legs and a long tail at the back and will typically be between 10cm to 20cm in size.
Mammals
Whilst mammals don’t live in your pond like fish and invertebrates or breed like amphibians your pond is likely to attract an array of mammals to your garden.
Hedgehogs
Your garden pond could be a great all year-round water source for hedgehogs. Hedgehogs can also swim if your pond has easy access and exit points.
Foxes
Perhaps for many an unwelcome guest but foxes can also be attracted to your pond. Foxes will be attracted to your pond primarily as a source of fresh water, but they may also be preying on your pond fish.
Domestic Cats
Domestic cats are often a feature in a garden but like most other mammals would also be attracted to your pond as a source of water.
Cats however are not always great for ponds. Cats will typically hunt for prey around ponds if they are hungry such as amphibians or fish. Cats can also damage any exposed pond liner with their claws.
Other types of mammals that could be attracted to your garden pond include;
- Rats
- Badgers
- Bats
Birds
Most birds in the UK will be attracted to your pond either to bathe and drink or to prey on small insects that may inhabit your pond. Smaller ponds will naturally attract smaller bird species such as robins and Starlings. Larger ponds will attract larger wetland bird species such as herons, although herons might not be a welcome addition to your pond.
The most common bird associated with ponds however is ducks. Ducks spend a lot of time in water and will be more attracted to a garden pond which receives lots of sun but also has lots of shade. Ducks can be a great addition to ponds as they typically eat aquatic vegetation which will help to keep your pond plants in check.
Conclusion
In conclusion, many animal species live in garden ponds throughout the UK. You can usually break the animals living in your pond down into these categories. Fish, invertebrates, and insects will live in your pond, amphibians will usually use your pond for breeding whilst birds and mammals will use your pond as a source of fresh water and in the case of birds a great place to take a bath.
As you can see from this article your pond is likely to be a thriving ecosystem of both animals and plant species for you to enjoy.