Anyone keep newts?

[Koda]

(It may actually be Taricha granulose or rough skinned newt)

Koda jr has his heart set on one and we have a habitat set up for it.It has a nice water area and some surface,and climbing places.I'd appreciate any info from people who've had experience with these charming little critters

Koda

 

[Discomafia]

http/www.caudata.org/cc/species/Taricha/T_granulosa.shtml

Taricha granulosa you mean...

 

[Koda]

http/www.caudata.org/cc/species/Taricha/T_granulosa.shtml

Taricha granulosa you mean...

Yup...that was a typo

I'd already checked out that site and a few others, looking for basic care info.I'm hoping to run across people here who've kept them to share their experiences.

Thanks...

Koda

 

[Discomafia]

Ahhh well, sorry I can't help you there. The only newt I keep is the Chinese Fire Bellied Newt (Cynops Orientalis) What size tank are you planning on keeping the newt in. Are you goig to be getting more than 1? And why Taricha granulosa instead of other newts?

Try posting your question in the forum section of caudata.org, or just do a forum search as I'm sure you can get a lot of info that way. That's how I did my research on my CFB newt. Good luck and keep us updated!!!

 

[Koda]

Well...I was getting the Taricha granulosa because that's all I have seen in this area until recently.But when I went to actually get one I found they had both Taricha granulosa and Firebellys in the same tank.The shopkeepers say that they can be housed together,but the reading I am doing on caudata.org says otherwise.

The habitat I have now is designed for amphibians and is quite large....not sure exactly how many gallons but very spacious.Looks though as if I may be setting up a spare 10 gallon tank for use as a newt home....cause now we want one of each

I'm not sure if the Firebellys we saw are Chinese types or not.I'll be doing some more reading now...and shopping


Koda

 

[Koda]

This is as near as I can find to what they look like

Koda

 

[Discomafia]

Thats a Japanese FB newt. They have a site in caudata.org just for telling the difference. Also, the CFB newts can't be kept with other kinds of newts, because many newts have their own toxins that they excrete, and tho' they're harmless more or less to us humans, diff. species of newt will get killed if kept in the same tank.

The CFB newt is one of the most common newts that can be found in pet shops in N.America, so if you do go with getting 2-3 for your 10 gallon, I can assure you, you'll be able to find a lot of info on these creatures. Right now, I have one in a 5.5 gallon tank, and he's such a great pet. So intelligent, and always comes towards you when you go look at him in the tank.

Main diff is that the CFB's have a smoother skin, and CFB's have a blunt, rounded tail tip while the tail of the JFB ends in a point.

JFB newt - http/www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C...rhogaster.shtml

CFB newt - http/www.caudata.org/cc/species/Cynops/C_orientalis.shtml

Just incase ya don't know, newts aren't really good pets for kids because they'll want to handle the newts and pet them and such. Newts are great pets if you're happy with just observing them in their tank. I do handle mine when I do a WC tho' and after a while they get used to it, but I try to handle him as little as possible if I can help it.

Gimme a PM if you do decide to go the CFB newt way, I can prolly answer some of your questions.

For a look at my CFB newt, look at my profile!

 

[Koda]

Just in case ya don't know, newts aren't really good pets for kids because they'll want to handle the newts and pet them and such. Newts are great pets if you're happy with just observing them in their tank.

It's ok...Koda jr is almost 12 and he knows the newts are just for watching and not for playing with.We have several aquariums and critters that are just to look at

I'll have a closer look at the newt pics and see what we're getting into...thanks!

Koda

 

[NickT]

OMG i used to keep theres when i was a kid!!!
i can catch them live all over and i housed them like bettas with good luck.
in a 1 gallon bowl no filter now heater and only natural light they lived for a long time. cant remember exactly how long but i know they wold have been better off in a bigger tank.

they love earth worms! i used to catch them with earth worms and a bucket.
i remember going to this little stream called hunter creek and i wold wade in the larger pools and catch 100s of these little guys.

i don't know why it makes me so happy to think of these newts but they where very good pets as a kid IMO. but i was never one to handle the newts when i got them home. i think its because my mom and dad instilled in me the fact that the oils in my sin can harm the newts.

the one thing i can say is that they are hearty and fun to watch.

http/www.caudata.org/cc/species/Taricha/T_granulosa.shtml
the picks on this site are the ones i used to catch. and don't worry koda I'm sure your 12 year old can care for these guys with no problem.

 

[NickT]

koda did you get the newts?

 

[Koda]

koda did you get the newts?

Yes...I got the newts

It's late now and I'm tired but I will start a new thread soon to give all the details.For now I'll just say that I'm thoroughly charmed by them and so is Koda jr

Koda

 

[Discomafia]

Did you get the T.Granulosa or C.Orientalis?

edit - makes sure to post some pictures!

 

[Koda]

Did you get the T.Granulosa or C.Orientalis?

edit - makes sure to post some pictures!

I couldn't resist...I got one of each

I don't have much luck with getting pictures to come out good but I'll have to try.I took some of the firebelly...he had climbed all the way to the top of the aquarium on the glass.Good thing I have a secure top or I think he'd have been outta there

Koda

 

[Discomafia]

Nice!!! Good luck in keeping them, are they in the same tank? If so, becareful of toxins. Also, FB newts are notorious for escaping, mine escaped from my 1 gallon tank with a 2 cm wide hole, and I found him under my sofa right across the room, a few hours later, all dried up. That's why HOB filters aren't recommended for newt tanks. Neither are any tanks which have even the smallest of openings...

 

[Koda]

Nice!!! Good luck in keeping them, are they in the same tank? If so, becareful of toxins. Also, FB newts are notorious for escaping, mine escaped from my 1 gallon tank with a 2 cm wide hole, and I found him under my sofa right across the room, a few hours later, all dried up. That's why HOB filters aren't recommended for newt tanks. Neither are any tanks which have even the smallest of openings...

They each have their own habitat.One has a home designed for amphibians.The FB has the spare 10 gallon tank with locking top and only a tiny opening for the filter cord.I got the underwater filter for both, which I really like.I used them to create small waterfalls

Thanks for all the great info

Koda