Palmate newt magnet – Backyard Heroes

Discover the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), the hidden dragon of the European garden pond. Out of the water, it is modest and inconspicuous—but in spring, when the breeding season begins, the male transforms into a spectacular creature: an orange spotted belly, a wavy dorsal crest, and a vibrant courtship display that makes it one of Europe's most fascinating amphibians. A miniature dragon in your own garden pond.

This premium magnet features stunning wildlife photography that captures the characteristic spotted skin and elegant build of this enchanting garden dweller.

Conservation status: Least Concern (but locally declining)

• Population: Widespread in Europe (severely declined due to loss of ponds and water quality)
• Habitat: Garden ponds, ditches, pools, and damp areas throughout Europe
• Major threats: Loss of ponds, water pollution, fish in ponds, habitat fragmentation
• Ecological role: Predator of mosquito larvae, snails, and insects; prey for herons, otters, and snakes
• Special feature: Males perform a complex courtship display—they wave their tails to send pheromones to the female

Fascinating facts:

• During the breeding season, the male develops a wavy dorsal crest and an orange spotted belly—one of the most spectacular transformations of all European amphibians
• Females individually wrap each egg in an aquatic plant leaf—a time-consuming but effective protective mechanism
• Smooth newts breathe partly through their skin and must regularly surface for air
• They hibernate on land under leaf litter, stones, or log piles
• After the breeding season, they leave the water and live entirely on land until the following spring
• They can live up to 14 years in the wild

How to attract smooth newts to your garden?

• Create a garden pond with submerged aquatic plants and shallow edges
• Provide moist shelters—log piles, stones, and dense vegetation
• Leave long grass and leaf litter near the pond
• Avoid fish—they eat newt eggs and larvae
• Create wildlife corridors connecting to other ponds

Read our complete rewilding guide for your garden →

We collaborate with organizations that make a real, measurable contribution to wildlife protection. Together, we are building a community of wildlife ambassadors—one magnet at a time.

With the purchase of this magnet, we donate €2.00 to wildlife conservation – so you directly contribute to the preservation of the smooth newt and its habitat.

Part of our Backyard Heroes collection — transform your fridge into a tribute to the hidden dragon of the European garden pond.