Newtapalooza!

The waters of the Japanese Pool are clear and inviting, surrounded by the large tree rhododendrons and azalea bushes. Each year the winter rains prompt the newts to migrate to the Garden’s Japanese Pool where their mating behaviors can be easily observed by visitors. At any time of day or night and in all weather, the males can be seen either cruising for a mate or holding her in a firm embrace.

The egg masses appear on lily stems and other vegetation. While the California newt migration to the pool is a regular winter event, one never grows tired of watching them.

The newts have been beloved members of the UC Botanical Garden community for decades. Their annual frolicking and egg laying in the Japanese Pool have delighted thousands of children and adults, further enhancing the already beautiful setting of this historic site.

The Garden is home to two newt species, California newt (Taricha torosa) and rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). The adults are difficult to distinguish even to the trained eye, but their egg masses are distinctive. The clear gelatinous balls with distinctive eggs that are most easily seen are those of T. torosa. As the season progresses, it is easy to watch these little round eggs develop into the small larval newts that will hatch in a few weeks. The adults will gradually leave the water over the next few months and move back into the Garden, hopefully, to return next year and for many years after.

While we wait for the next newt generation, you will notice signage to “Watch for Crossing Newts…” and we kindly ask you to mind our slow-moving pedestrians braving Garden paths one tiny step at a time.