Topic: Any ideas what this could be?

[Chloe]

Lasy year, I saw this thing walking round the bottom of the pond, and please don't laugh but it's shape was like a bear, it was quite fat and a beige colour.  I never did find out what is was although I looked on the net and in all my pond books.  Well yesterday I saw it again, this time it was up the top of the pond having a munch of one of my taddies.  It's beige, and it's about an inch across and about 1 and1/2 inches long, fat and it had kind of feet, very shy and it walked and disappeared in the weed.  I thought it looked more crab like this time.  But really haven't a clue what it could be.  Any suggestions would be gratefull received.

[Anthony]

Apologies Chloe,

I guess I'm like the other ppl that have viewed this topic in that I haven't got the foggiest!

Can you take a picture of it and post it on here?

Tony

[Chloe]

If only I could Anthony, it would be whizzing round the net now, asking everyone what this creature is:)

It is rather shy, and when I first saw it, last year, it was walking round the bottom of the pond.  As I said this year it came up the top and ate a taddie, but apart from that, that's the only two times I have seen it.  Fortunately, the first time I saw it my friend was with me, so I know I haven't imagined this thing.  If I am lucky enough to get it's photo I will certainly post it on here.

Thank's for replying to me.

[teresa]

Hi Chole,
Have you got a plant from a river or been giveing anything from a fast moving river or lake? Know it sounds strange but read a newspaper a while ago about is it Kray fish in rivers wondered if you could have had a baby transported into your pond?
Told you it sounds daft. but first thing to come to mind.
Teresa

[Gardengirl]

You say it was walking round your pond Chloe so I presume it has legs ???  Could it therefore be some sort of newt :-\  I think this calls for Margaret's expertise :)

[Chloe]

Hi Teresa,

No nothing from a river or fast moving water.

Hi Patricia,

Actually it does remind me of a newt but it hasn't grown that much since last year.  Although I think it big it is not big as in newt big ;D  But there again I don't know how quickly newts grow.  And it looks rather fat for a newt.

Thank you both though, for giving me more things to think about :)

[Chloe]

Thank you Dan :)

[eileen]

Hi there,

Did you ever find out what your 'thing' was Chloe?

I've just discovered a weird 'thing' in my pond too and wonder if you have any idea what mine is?

Sorry - no idea what yours is I'm afraid.  ???

I've posted a description under the topic 'Margaret can you help?"

Thanks.

Eileen.

[MagpieDi]

Hi Chloe
Thought maybe a caddis fly pupa emerging ? The larvae walk along the bottom of the pond, then late spring the pupa develops, and rises to the surface, then after about 2 weeks it changes into a fly !!  ;D
Could explain why you only see it at this time of year !
Oh, and they vary in colour from brown to beige, but not really teddy bear shaped!   :-\  ;D

[gilgamesh]

"walking around" sounds like either a dragon fly larva or a Great Diving Beetle (Dityscus) larva, aka Water Tiger.

[Chloe]

Hi gilgamesh,

Have looked at the diving beetle and it isn't that and can't find a photo of the dragon fly larva.

I have seen it only 3 times now and it has grown bigger but think it's the same thing I saw in 2003.

[Andy H]

Crayfish?

[Andy H]

Newts?

[Chloe]

Thank you Andy for your help but it has gone now.  I emptied the pond and there was nothing there that resembled the thing I had seen previously so it will remain a mystery to me.

Love the newts and did find a baby one in the bottom of the pond when I emptied it.