hibernating triturus (in britian)

[william]

i know for or area at least (shropshire) we have had a very mild autumn so since we have'nt had a frosty morning yet will the newts be hibernating by now?. there are still bats flying around to prove how mild it is. so has anyone else seen any signs of hibernation?

 

[alan]

Nope. T.vulgaris are frisky in my garden. Actually, UK newts don't "hibernate" in the north American sense, i.e. complete torpor for months. The do go dormant during periods of extreme weather, but these usually don't last for more than a few weeks at most. All three species are active at temperatures down to nearly freezing, i.e. most of the winter.

 

[william]

where about do you see them most?

 

[colin]

Still active up here in water and on land and we had had a couple of nights down to 1 or 2 deg C

PS sometimes bats do fly about in the middle of winter

(Message edited by colin on October 31, 2004)