Pond life

Think you know about the animals, insects and birds that live in, on and around our ponds and wetlands? Take our quiz to see if you are a pond king or queen. Answer either true or false. Score one point for each correct answer.

1 Dragonflies are generally smaller and weaker fliers compared to damselflies.
2 Water voles are the British Isles' largest vole and are often mistaken for rats.

3 The mayfly only lives for a day.
4 Only female common toads croak.
5 The mallard is the British Isles' most common duck.

6 Tadpoles eventually grow into insects such as the pond skater.

7 Sticklebacks are found on the pond edge and use their sticky tongues to catch prey.
8 The grey heron can grow to more than a metre and have a lifespan of more than 20 years.

9 Great crested newts are the largest newt in the British Isles – growing more than 60cm long.

10 Snakes live in ponds and river edges in the British Isles.

Answers 1 False – damselflies are generally smaller and weaker fliers than dragonflies. 2 True. 3 True. 4 False – it's actually the male. 5 True. 6 False – tadpoles grow into amphibians such as frogs and toads. 7 False – sticklebacks are fish and live underwater in ponds. 8 True. 9 False – great crested newts are the UK's largest newt but they only grow to about 17cm in length. 10 True – the grass snake but don't worry they're harmless to humans!

How did you do?

8-10 Frog feat! You're the king or queen of the lily pad. Well done!
5-7 Tadpole. Not bad but not quite good enough to make a real splash.
0-5 Frogspawn. You need to develop your pond knowledge!

Did you know? Ratty from The Wind In The Willows was actually a water vole!

Did your know? Dragonflies can turn their heads 360 degrees!

Look out for the giant pond life wallchart in this month's NG Kids magazine