Reptiles & Amphibians
All forms of reptiles are attracted to water many for the same
reasons as other vertebrates, they often provide a good food source
and in there case as cold blooded animals a place they can cool down
when the weather gets too warm.
Snakes
Snakes can be often found in the vicinity of ponds, although not
all are swimmers but they do take advantage of the cover and food resources
they provide. 
Not
all may be poisonous but those that are can be very dangerous indeed,
it is best to give them a wide berth unless you have knowledge of identification
in the field. It has to be remebered, that snakes in there own way fulfil
a role within the structure of the ponds food chain, and so should be
left unless dangerous to persons to there own devices if possible. The
picture to the left shows a Grass Snake ( Natrix natrix) , a British
non-poisonous species often found around ponds. They feed on other smaller
reptiles and also fish and young bird if the opportunity arises. Although
less common now they are a true pond snake being excellent swimmers.
The Amphibians are creatures that have evolved from there fish ancestors
but in the majority of cases are able to move onto dry land once the
adult stages are reached. They return to the water to breed and the
young invariably have gills to enable them to breath in water. Whereas
the adults have lungs and nostrils to enable them to breath out of water.
The amphibians include species like frogs, toads and newts plus others
the lifestyles and cycles are all very similar so we shall discuss a
general cycle. Lets assume that it is breeding time and the adults have
returned to the water to mate and spawn. After courtship the eggs are
laid (fertilization can differ between species as to method) normally
laid encapsulated in a gelentous covering,The eggs which can be in masses
or strings or even singularly deposited are then left to there own devices.
Within a few days the eggs develop and soon tadpoles emerge, these are
nothing like the adults as at this stage they have no legs and the propel
themselves by the use of a tail. The delicate gill fronds which are
external are used to process the oxygen from the water. Slowly the legs
start to appear depending on species as to which develop first front
or rear, at this stage the larvae are nearly ready to leave the water.
The last thing to change is the gills and once they have gone the miniature
amphibian is air breathing and ready to leave the water. From this stage
on they are able to survive away from the water and in some cases will
not return again until ready to undertake there breeding cycle.
