Amphibian Facts

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Amphibian facts

Frogs, toads and newts are all amphibians. This means that they can survive on land but need to return to water to breed.

There are 6 species of amphibians native to Scotland: 3 newts, 2 toads and 1 frog. All 6 species are protected, particularly during their breeding season.  

Amphibians and the LAw

All our native species of amphibians are protected from sale under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, as amended by the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act, 2004. It is illegal to advertise them or put them up for sale. This applies to any stage, eggs, tadpoles or adults, and protects them against collection for the pet trade.

The Natterjack toad and Great Crested newt have complete protection under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act, 2004 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994. This means they cannot be intentionally or recklessly killed, injured, possessed, disturbed or have their habitat destroyed. Damaging their place of shelter or protection may be an offence even if done unintentionally.

For some offences, fines of up to £5000 per animal can be imposed.

It is not illegal to collect the spawn of the common frog, common toad, common (smooth) newt and palmate newt for your pond as long as you have the landowner's permission. Please Check with the landowner.

It is recommended that all spawn and young amphibians are returned to their pond of origin to reduce the risk of spreading amphibian diseases.

Freshwater pearl mussels

The freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) was once common across Europe and has been collected since pre-Roman times for the pearl occasionally found in some of them. It has ecome increasingly rare because of factors such as river pollution and vastly increased exploitation for pearls.

In Scotland the freshwater pearl mussel is still found in clean, fast-flowing rivers and the populations we have are now of international importance.

THESE MUSSELS CAN LIVE FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND ARE NOW FULLY PROTECTED.  

Freshwater pearl mussels AND THE LAW

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, as amended by the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act, 2004. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or disturb freshwater pearl mussels or to damage their habitat It s also illegal to sell, or advertise for sale, freshwater pearl mussels or their pearls except under licence from the Scottish Executive.

This means that no-one can legally collect these creatures in order to look for a pearl which may be inside them. Piles of opened shells on some Scottish riverbanks are evidence that despite tighter legislation this unlawful activity still occurs. Any suspected pearl collecting seen in or around Scotland's rivers should be reported to the nearest police wildlife crime officer as soon as possible.